United through to second round
Carlisle United have been handed a bye for the first round of this season's Johnstone's Paint Trophy following the announcement of the pre-draw groupings this afternoon.The Cumbrians are one of eight teams in the northern section to be handed a passage into the second round of the competition with the draw for round one to be made on the morning of Saturday 17 August.
United went out in a penalty shoot-out against Preston here at Brunton Park last season but have enjoyed an on-off love affair with the Trophy since their first appearance at old Wembley back in 1995.
2013/14 competition and draw dates:
Round 1 - w/c 2 September 2013 (draw date Sat 17 August)
Round 2 - w/c 7 October 2013 (draw date Sat 7 September)
North/South Quarter Final - w/c 11 November 2013 (draw date Sat 12 October)
North/South Semi Final - w/c 9 December 2013 (draw date Sat 16 November)
North/South Final 1st Leg - w/c 3 February 2014* (draw following N/S Semi Finals - in house) -
North/South Final 2nd Leg - w/c 17 February 2014*
Final - Sunday 30 March 2014
*(actual date may vary due to live Sky selections)
Groupings
Northern section – West
Accrington Stanley, Bury, Crewe, Fleetwood Town, Oldham Athletic, Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town, Tranmere Rovers
Northern section – East
Bradford City, Burton Albion, Hartlepool United, Notts County, Scunthorpe United, Sheffield United, Walsall, Wolves
Southern section – West
Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth, Torquay United, Wycombe Wanderers
Southern section – East
AFC Wimbledon, Brentford, Colchester United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Nortahmpton Town
Teams granted round one byes:
Northern section: Carlisle United, Morecambe, Preston North End, Rochdale, Chesterfield, Mansfield Town, Rotherham United, York City
Southern section: Crawley Town, Newport County, Oxford United, Swindon Town, Coventry City, Peterborough United, Southend United, Stevenage