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Walsall face Preston or Magpies

Image: Dean Smith: First-leg away trip on the cards

Walsall will be away in the first leg of their Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Final against either Preston or Notts County.

The Saddlers are two games from a Wembley debut having never played at the national stadium in their 126-year history. Dean Smith's men came back from 2-0 down against Tranmere on Tuesday to draw 2-2 and then go through 5-4 on penalties at Prenton Park. The first leg is to be played in the week commencing January 12 with the second games in the week beginning February 2. The Magpies reached the semi-final stage on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win at Doncaster, with Liam Noble's 20-yard drive settling the match. North End, who have already seen off Shrewsbury, Port Vale and Oldham in this competition, are the highest-ranked team left in the northern half of the draw. Notts County and Preston face off at Meadow Lane in the Northern Area semi-final, which will be played on December 16.

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