The Silkmen have been handed a home tie against Championship side Blackpool in the 1st Round of the Carling Cup which was made this morning. The Seasiders under the leadership of Simon Grayson struggled in their first season after promotion from League 1, finishing just two points about the relegation zone. However they only lost sixteen games in the process suggestion we are in for a tough tie.

The sides have met on four previous ocassions, all in the League, the last coming in back in 2001 when goals from Richard Tracey and John Askey helped us to a 2-1 at the Moss Rose in front of 3045 fans.

The game will be played week commencing August 11 with games settled on the night. The full draw is as follows:-

Preston North End v Chestefield

Chester City v Leeds United

Leicester City v Stockport County

Sheffield United v Port Vale

Grimsby Town v Tranmere Rovers

Crewe Alexandra v Barnsley

Hartlepool United v Scunthorpe United

Derby County v Lincoln City

Notts County v Doncaster Rovers

Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham Utd

Shrewsbury Town v Carlisle United

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Accrington Stanley

Bury v Burnley

Rochdale v Oldham Athletic

Nottingham Forest v Morecambe

Huddersfield Town v Bradford City

Macclesfield Town v Blackpool

Walsall v Darlington

Coventry City v Aldershot

Milton Keynes Dons v Norwich City

Wycombe Wanderers v Birmingham City

Brighton & Hove Albion v Barnet

Gillingham v Colchester United

Southend United v Cheltenham Town

Swansea City v Brentford

Luton Town v Plymouth Argyle

Exeter City v Southampton

Watford v Bristol Rovers

AFC Bournemouth v Cardiff City

Bristol City v Peterborough United

Charlton Athletic v Yeovil Town

Millwall v Northampton Town

Swindon Town v QPR

Crystal Palace v Hereford United

Dagenham & Redbridge v Reading

Ipswich Town v Leyton Orient