Once again the FA Cup provides Plymouth Argyle and their manager Derek Adams with a welcome distraction from their league campaign as they host fellow League outfit Oxford United in the second round of the competition.
The Pilgrims are now the South West's sole representatives left in the cup after Exeter City, Yeovil Town, Torquay United and Weston Super Mare bowed out in the previous round.
Argyle have a proud history in the competition - they famously reached the semi-finals in 1984 and made the quarter finals in 2007, losing 1-0 to Watford on both occasions - and have earned £36,000 in prize money so far this season following their first round win over Stevenage.
A further £54,000 is up for grabs if they can overcome the U's - to be followed by a potentially lucrative third round tie - not too dissimilar to their round three tie with Premier League giants Liverpool in the 2016-17 season - also awaits them.
At the time of writing, the Pilgrims are 22nd in League One and the U's are three places above them in 19th place with five more points - so a win could provide Argyle with a big psychological lift in their bid to beat the drop.
Their recent league form has been inconsistent, with the Pilgrims' last three league fixtures reads: a 5-1 defeat away to Luton Town, a 2-1 home win over Fleetwood Town which was followed by a 2-0 midweek away loss to Shrewsbury Town.
However, their next fixture when they return to league action is a home game with bottom side Bradford City. If Argyle were able to go into that game on a high after securing a place in the third round of the FA Cup - it would give the players a major boost ahead of what looks set to an important 'six-pointer.'
The tie will also see the return to two former Pilgrims in the form of central defender Curtis Nelson and striker Jamie Mackie.
