Preston have been handed an intriguing tie in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a home clash against Portsmouth on the weekend of February 16/17.
It means an emotional return to Deepdale for former hero David Nugent, and has North End paired with one of the six Premier League sides still in the competition at the final sixteen stage.
As one of only four sides from outside the Premier League to have been drawn against top flight opposition, there's every chance the game could be switched from the proposed Saturday 3pm slot as it has the look of a typical 'TV tie' if BBC or Sky take an interest.
The sides have met three times in the FA Cup, but this will be the first pairing of the two at Deepdale. Pompey have twice claimed victory - 2-0 in January 1930 and 1-0 in March 1939 - with North End winning the only post-war encounter 3-1 at Fratton Park in January 1948 thanks to goals from Tom Finney, Willie McIntosh and Bill Shankly.
Speaking straight after the draw, Saturday's two goal hero Karl Hawley claimed:
"Obviously most of the lads have played with Nuge so it's a good tie in that regard, and it's great for the fans to see him again too.
"It's certainly an interesting tie against a Premier League side who are a very good team with some excellent players. It'll be good to play against some of the big names.
"It'd be nice if the TV companies were to take an interest in this one and it'll be another good chance to test ourselves against Premier League opposition."
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp told BBC Sport Online:
"It could have been a good deal worse. It's a decent draw against a club with great history and I'm looking forward to going up there maybe meeting people like Tom Finney.
"Everyone wants a home tie at this stage but we are quite happy about this. We've got a chance because we have our African Nations Cup players back and when we're at our strongest I think we can give anybody a game."
His assistant Tony Adams told the official Portsmouth site:
"We're pleased to have avoided the 'big four' but it will still be a tricky tie looking at the way Preston beat Derby 4-1 in the last round."
The draw in full:
Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolves
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Brom
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town
Ties to be played on the weekend of February 16/17. A new date for our originally scheduled Championship home game against Stoke City will be announced in due course.We'll bring you more reaction from the main men at Deepdale in due course...
