Margate dismiss Ninian switch

The match will go ahead at the Crabble Ground

Margate have opted to keep home advantage for their next FA Cup match against Cardiff City.

The Nationwide Conference side knocked out Division Three Leyton Orient 1-0 in Tuesday night's first-round replay.

Cardiff, meanwhile, were winning their replay against Tranmere 2-1 at Ninian Park to set up a second-round match against the minnows.

Margate are ground-sharing with Dover Athletic while their own facilities at Hartsdown Park are being upgraded.

It's a home game for us and it's a tough thing to ask your supporters to travel away

Margate chairman Jim Parmenter

There were doubts whether Dover's Crabble Ground would be a suitable venue to host a match against one of the Division Two pace-setters.

The ground has a capacity of 6500, of which 1000 is seated.

But after discussions within the club, and with the Football Association and the Police, the tie on the weekend of 7 December will go ahead as planned in Dover.

Kick-off will be at 1500 GMT.

"We had to be sure we could host the game properly, as Cardiff are likely to bring a lot of supporters," Margate chairman Jim Parmenter said.

"We had to see what the FA policy was but switching was by no means our first choice.

"It's a home game for us and it's a tough thing to ask your supporters to travel away to an FA Cup tie when you've been drawn at home."

Second round draw