Salford City will host League One Leyton Orient in the second round of the FA Cup.
The Ammies beat Lincoln City 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw to book their place in the next round and set up a reunion with former manager Richie Wellens.
Kelly N’mai scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to force extra time against Lincoln after the League One Imps had led through Erik Ring’s first-half finish.
After Lincoln’s Tom Bayliss had struck the crossbar and Salford goalkeeper Mark Howard had made a superb diving save to keep out Connor McGrandles’ penalty, Daniel Udoh scored the decisive spot kick to seal Salford’s spot in last night’s televised draw.
Once again, Salford were drawn first and handed a home tie, but Ammies fans had to wait until after Tamworth’s game against Leyton Orient, which took place later, to find out their opponents.
With Wellens watching from the stands, Leyton Orient avoided a potential banana skin as they edged past the Non-League side 1-0 on a challenging artificial pitch.
A 79th-minute Kennedy Digie own goal proved decisive as the London club progressed to the second round for the third consecutive year.
Last season, after Salford’s historic run to the third round of the FA Cup had come to an end against Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s men made hard work of beating Leyton Orient 2-1 in round four.
A huge shock was on the cards that day when Jamie Donely’s long-range wonder-strike went in via the crossbar and the back of City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Orient led for 40 minutes against the then-reigning Premier League Champions before Abdukodir Khusnov and Kevin De Bruyne turned the game on its head with two second half goals.
Leyton Orient’s narrow defeat to Manchester City was a reminder of Wellens’ excellent record managing in cup competitions.
During his time as Salford’s head coach, he guided the club to its first Football League silverware when they beat Portsmouth on penalties to clinch the 2020 Papa John’s trophy final.
But after Leyton Orient beat Tamworth, he said he felt little connection with Salford as he managed the club at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, when games were being played behind closed doors.
“People say that it is a previous club of mine, but because it was during Covid, it does not feel like I ever managed them. They will be a good side and another difficult game,” Wellens said.
Salford City will take on Leyton Orient at the Peninsula Stadium on 6 December, 3pm kick-off.
Another League One opponent confirmed 🤝
Leyton Orient will visit in the second round after beating Tamworth this evening. We will confirm details once the game has been arranged.#EmiratesFACup https://t.co/qVL4cXoFjn pic.twitter.com/QyZ6aSHpoV
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) November 3, 2025
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