'The perfect draw!' Craig Elliott reacts to Boston United's potential FA Cup tie with Premier League Newcastle United

Steve Bruce’s Magpies will travel to face the winners of the replay between the Pilgrims - the lowest-ranked team left in the competition - and League One Rochdale.

Speaking after Monday’s draw at the Etihad Stadium, Boston manager Elliott said: “It’s the perfect draw.

“If we’d have been given a lower-ranked team it may have been harder to motivate everybody.

“Getting a Premier League team is brilliant, but it only puts extra importance on the Rochdale game.

“It’s a mouthwatering tie, but we’ve got to get there.”

Elliott, who attended the draw along with chairman David Newton, vice-chairman Neil Kempster and secretary Craig Singleton, said the mood in the camp was high after being rewarded with the possibility of meeting a top-flight side.

“You don’t get anything better than a draw against a Premier League side,” added Elliott, whose team is the only National League North and Lincolnshire club remaining.

“The lads are excited. But they’re fully aware they’ve still got a job to do.

“It’s a good tie for Rochdale as well. They’ll want to beat us, no doubt.”

A date is yet to be confirmed for the replay at York Street, following Sunday’s goalless draw at Spotland.

The winning side will host Newcastle on the weekend of January 3.