FA Trophy semi-final first leg
Venue: Darlington Arena Date: Saturday, 12 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Tees online and BBC Newcastle

North East football, so often dominated by bigger clubs such as Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, sees the spotlight shone on its lesser lights when Darlington and Gateshead meet in the FA Trophy semi-finals.

The two clubs from the Blue Square Bet Premier are just 180 minutes away from the national stadium, and in doing achieving a feat which has as yet eluded their more illustrious neighbours.

For Darlington, relegated from League Two last season, cup progress has been a positive distraction amid off-the-field issues surrounding the future of the club and the holding company.

Meanwhile Gateshead have been rewarded for the gamble of turning full-time in the summer by establishing themselves in the top half of the division, in only their second season after promotion.

Coincidentally, the two sides met in league action on Tuesday, a dress rehearsal that ended in a 2-2 draw after the Tynesiders bounced back from two goals down to level in the final moments.

It was the first league meeting between the two sides since April 1961, and only the 61st meeting between them in history.

"The league games and the two cup games are going to totally different," Gateshead boss Ian Bogie told BBC Newcastle.

"What a massive incentive for both clubs to get to Wembley, it'll be full of passion, desire and commitment.

"It's a very evenly matched game, the league positions show that, Darlington are only four points ahead of us in the league, there's nothing between the two sides as the game in the league showed."

The Quakers hold home advantage for the first leg, with the potentially all important second match taking place at Gateshead's International Stadium.

"Personally, Ian might be different, but I just feel like the second leg of the play-offs or a semi-final, if you're at home there's a lot of pressure on you," Cooper told BBC Tees.

"That's my preference, and hopefully we can still be in the tie come next Saturday."

Gateshead boss Bogie added: "Because there's no away goal rule, it doesn't really matter, if you wanted the draw then you would want your second leg to be at home so you know what you have to do coming into the second leg.

"We're playing at a big stadium in Darlington on a decent pitch, and we look forward to a real tussle."

The prospect of a derby promises a fervent crowd at both games, a factor which could be pivotal in two large venues.

Darlington's Arena holds 25,000, but is limited to 10,000, while Gateshead's home is 15,000 capacity.

"The fans have been brilliant in the last few weeks, getting behind the team, and they've made such a difference to the atmosphere in the stadium and on the pitch," Cooper said.

"That can only be a positive from being a footballer myself if there's a good atmosphere you want to play in it.

"They were really good the other night, they probably doubled Gateshead's numbers the other night, so brilliant, I'm sure they'll be out in force on Saturday."

One player with crossed loyalties is Gateshead striker Nathan Fisher, who has a foot in both camps.

"I was a big Darlington fan as a boy, I loved Marco Gabbiadini as a kid at Feethams, and I can't wait to play at the Arena," he told BBC Look North.

"All my family, friends, my girlfriend's family will be there, so it'll be a special occasion.

"I reckon it'll be a similar sort of battle but it'll be 2-0 to Gateshead, Fisher with two.

"It's massive for the club, back-to-back promotions, and Gateshead have never been to Wembley, so it could put us on the footballing map.

"Down where I live, in the Northern Echo newspaper we only get a little box, while Darlo get a two-page spread, so hopefully we will get some better coverage in that direction."

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