BURNLEY will take on Nationwide League new-boys Rushden and Diamonds in the first round of the Worthington Cup.

The Clarets were paired with the Conference champions when the draw was made today and the two will meet in a one-off clash at Turf Moor, rather than over two legs, on Tuesday, August 21.

It will be Rushden's first taste of the competition after the Northamptonshire club, managed by former Arsenal and Ipswich midfielder Brian Talbot, clinched promotion to the Third Division in May.

The club is backed by multi-millionaire Max Griggs, who owns the Doctor Martens footwear firm, and their squad includes former Morecambe striker Justin Jackson and ex-Hull City and Notts County front man Duane Darby.

The first-round draw also threw up several intriguing ties involving some of the Clarets' North-West rivals.

Preston face a tricky trip to Jan Molby's Kidderminster Harriers, Bury will take on Sheffield Wednesday at Gigg Lane and newly-promoted Blackpool meet Wigan in a local derby at Bloomfield Road.

Last season's beaten finalists Birmingham kick-off their campaign at home to Southend United.