Pool tie was my motivation - Parker

For Spartans centre back Danny Parker Friday night's FA Cup Second Round tie at Hartlepool United has provided him with more than just excitement at what is arguably the tie of the round. The former Bishop Auckland man suffered a horrific facial injury in the August Bank Holiday Monday league fixture with Whitby Town after a collision with former Spartans striker Craig Farrell and that caused him to miss two months of a season that had promised so much. He returned in time to face Leek Town in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the cup and he maintains that the competition along with the tie at Victoria Park has always remain a motivating factor during his recovery process.

"When I came back against Leek Town I took a bash on the jaw early on and the same happened against Ashington in the Northumberland Senior Cup last week. The game with Hartlepool United has always been there at the back of my mind and has been a motivating factor. It kept me going through all of the frustrating times"

During his spell on the touchlines Parker saw former Celtic academy man Ryan Hutchinson step into his place at centre back and the youngster impressed alongside a man who will make a return to Victoria Park on Friday night, Nathan Buddle. Parker admitted that he had been impressed with Hutchinson's performances but insisted he was hopeful of giving the Spartans management team something to think about when they come to select the starting lineup for the big game.

"It was tough to watch from the touchlines, there's no doubt about that. Especially when Hutchy (Ryan Hutchinson) has come into the side and done such a good job alongside Buds (Nathan Buddle). Ryan has been very impressive and I just have to keep performing when I get a chance and to make Tom (Wade) and Colin (Myers) have a tough choice when it comes to selection on Friday"

It's been far from an easy route to the Second Round for Parker and his team mates. Four consecutive away ties were against the likes of Darlington and Skelmersdale United were successfully negotiated before the First Round demolition of Conference side Altrincham at Croft Park and Parker paid tribute to his team mates for getting so far in a competition that has given their club so many memories throughout the years.

"It's a dream to be this far into the competition. It's been on our minds for a long time now and it's a credit to the lads that we have got through some tough ties where people might have thought we would slip up. It's been a difficult run but we deserve to be facing a tie like this"