HYDE United face their third and toughest challenge in the Emirates FA Cup when they play Darlington at The Project Solar Stadium on Saturday, October 1.
The Tigers will test themselves against opponents from a higher division as The Quakers are riding high in fifth place in National League North.
But victory for Hyde would leave them just one step away from the first-round proper which they last reached in 2017 when they were beaten 4-0 at home by Milton Keynes Dons in a live televised match.
This is the first time since that Friday night fixture that the Tigers have progressed to the third qualifying round.
Manager Nick Spooner explained the cup run brings many benefits to the club.
He said: “Obviously there are the financial ones and the prize money is great. The more money we can make, the better it is for the club.
“Darlington are a big club which has had bad times, but they are going well in National League North.
“It is a chance to measure ourselves against a team from a higher division. We have home advantage, and anything can happen on the day.”
Hyde have already collected just shy of £6,000 in prize money from their cup victories against Warrington Rylands and Warrington Town.
However, if they win on Saturday, they pick up a whopping £5,625 to add to what they have already accrued and even £1,875 if they lose.
Darlington are managed by Alun Armstrong, the former striker who starred for Stockport County when they were a Championship club.
Their star name is David Wheater, 35, the former Middlesbrough, Bolton and Oldham player.
Wheater, who made several England squads in his prime, signed for Darlington in April and has a deal until the end of the current campaign, though he is currently missing through injury.
They also have others who have played at a higher level including Junior Mondial who signed from Forest Green Rovers in the summer of 2021.