Torquay United have the opportunity to put any speculation over the future of manager Paul Buckle and a number of their talented young players to one side as they prepare to take on Carlisle United at Plainmoor in the FA Cup third round.
As both sides have to contend a number of re-arranged fixtures in the second half of the season following the recent cold snap, they will both be looking to win the tie on the day.
For the Gulls will be playing in the third round for the fifth time in six seasons, which is an impressive feat for a club of their size.
The only slight disappointment has been the fact that during that time they have only been drawn against Premiership opposition once.
That came in the 2005-06 when Torquay famously drew 0-0 with the Blues at Plainmoor before bowing out 2-0 in the replay at St Andrews.
Hiowever, in the years leading up to their current good spell in the competition it is worth remembering that the Gulls were eliminated from the Cup by Burton Albion and Hinckley United.
In the 90's, they fell victim to Farnborough, Yeovil Town, Sutton United and Enfield, the fact the days when exiting the competition at the hands of non-league giantkillers now currently looks like a distant memory should be celebrated.
Now here's hoping for a plum tie in the fourth round should they defeat the Cumbrians tomorrow afternoon.
