CLITHEROE will make the trip to Ryman League second division side Arlesey Town in the fifth round of the FA Vase.

The Blues have been drawn away from home in each round this season and will be on their travels again for the tie on Saturday, February 9.

Manager Lee Sculpher said he had hoped to avoid the Bedfordshire club but said there could have been worse opponents.

"Neil Reynolds (Clitheroe midfielder) knows somebody who plays for Arlesey and says they are a decent side.

"They beat St Helens, who are top of the North West Counties League, in the last round on Saturday.

"I'll be ringing the St Helens manager anyway to get a few tips on them."

Arlesey play in the third tier of the Ryman Isthmian League - the same level as the North West Counties first division where Clitheroe play.

Arlesey are currently seventh in the second division. The side Clitheroe beat 3-0 in the last round - Abingdon - play in the third division, the equivalent of the North West Counties second division.

"There are certain sides you don't want to play," said Sculpher.

"You wouldn't want to draw Brigg Town at this stage and Lewes are supposed to be a good side.

"But I don't suppose Arlesey are too pleased about drawing us with our history in the competition."

Clitheroe reached the FA Vase semi finals last season, the quarter finals in 1998 and the final in 1996.

The draw for the Fifth round of the FA Carlsberg Vase is as follows: Whitley Bay v Brigg Town Dereham Town or Durham City v St Neots Town Wroxham v Arnold Town Arlesey Town v Clitheroe Lewes v Tow Law Town AFC Sudbury v Great Wakering Rovers Burgess Hill Town or Dorking v Porthleven Tiptree Utd v Taunton Town.