AFTER clocking up the miles with three away ties, joint Worcester City manager Matt Gardiner is looking forward to a home draw after seeing his side make it through to the first round proper of the FA Cup.

“Being in the hat was the main thing for us but it would be brilliant if we could get a home draw for the supporters – they deserve that after three games on the road,” he said.

More than 130 fans made the 450-mile round-trip to Gateshead to see City dominate their National League hosts in a 2-1 fourth qualifying round victory.

And the players made a point of applauding the travelling supporters at the end of the game.

Gardiner said: “You have to give a mention to the supporters and that’s why we made the extra effort to go over to them.

“A couple were in tears, that’s how much it all means to them. We have some fantastic, fanatical supporters and I’m so pleased for them because it is such a long way for them to come and cheer us on.”

Two goals from striker Deon Burton wrapped up the win but the scoreline would have been more one-sided had it not been for rookie home keeper Shaun MacDonald, who pulled off a string of fine saves.

Gardiner added: “I think if we had come in at half-time three or four ahead no-one could have complained.

“I’ve watched a lot of clips of Gateshead right back to the start of the season and they’re a good team who can open you up.

"We knew that they’d come back at us but unfortunately for them they’ve not got it quite right in terms of conceding goals. I don’t think anyone could begrudge us at the end of the day.

“John Snape (coach) has really worked on set-pieces with the players and we have some good technicians with the ball.

"We have some routines we work on and some routines are more off the cuff.

"We’ve always said that, as a group. we don’t score enough from restarts so it has been something we have focused on in the last two games and we got our rewards at Gateshead.

“The big players come out for the big occasion and we have those types of players and characters who just love games like this.

"You can get the feeling ahead of a game – it’s something of a sixth sense – and you could see from the team meeting this morning when we went through the final prep that they were up for this one.

“We have a great mix - experienced players who we have dragged in, some lads who were involved last year and some of the lads who haven’t experienced a cup run yet.

"The spirit is amazing and you could see that the players really wanted it.”

The first-round draw will be made tonight at 7pm live on BBC Two and City will be number 49 on the list with League One and Two sides, such as Sheffield United and Portsmouth, now entering the competition.

The Aggborough tenants, in the first round for the second successive campaign, beat Midlands giants Coventry City 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena last season and took Scunthorpe United to a replay and mammoth penalty shoot-out.

City have also knocked out previously-unbeaten Solihull Moors and lower-ranked Lincolnshire side Holbeach United, both after home replays, in this season's competition.