MORECAMBE'S first game in the FA Trophy did not give them the best start to the competition as they lost 4-2 in the first round against Bangor City.

And the year after they crashed out in the third qualifying round to Chorley before things started to improve.

In 1973 they went out to Wigan in the quarter final before hoisting the Trophy at Wembley a year later.

1976 saw another last-eight appearance but they had to wait until 1992 before the red shirts made an appearance in the business end of the competition and that saw a third round exit to Colchester United.

Then in 2001 the Shrimps got to the fifth round before losing on penalties to Hereford United and they reached the semi-final a year later, going down over two legs to Stevenage Borough.

After beating Lancaster in 2002/2003, Morecambe crashed out to Yeovil, while last season it was Shrewsbury Town who sent the Shrimps packing.

The Dolly Blues have not fared as well in the competition.

In the first year of the contest City lost to Buxton after a replay but lost out to Wigan in round three in 1975 after starting in the preliminary round.

They actually played eight games in the Trophy that season and seven the year after as they bowed out to Worksop in a third round replay.

Hard times followed with City rarely making it beyond the first round proper and after 1986 their next appearance in the competition did not arrive until 1994 when they crashed out in the second qualifying round.

They made the third round in 2000 losing to Worksop after a replay, while Bromsgrove conquered City on 2000/2001.

Morecambe sent City out two years ago before Hednesford United triumphed last year.

This season City struggled past Matlock after a replay, beat Bromsgrove Rovers and then overcame Vauxhall Motors after a replay to book their date with Morecambe.

Saturday's fourth round tie is the furthest Lancaster have ever been in the Trophy.