COLCHESTER United have drawn League One rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup.

The chances of two Football League clubs meeting each other at such an early stage of the competition were slim considering that 30 of the 33 remaining teams come from non-league.

That’s what’s happened though, with holders Colchester handed a trip to the newly-promoted Daggers – the two sides having just drawn 2-2 in the league at The Weston Homes Community Stadium and Colchester having knocked them out at the semi-final stage of the competition last season.

The only other Football League club in the competition – Southend United – host Essex Senior League side Barking.

Elsewhere, several neighbouring Ryman League clubs have been paired against each other, with Heybridge Swifts entertaining Maldon & Tiptree and Tilbury squaring-up to Aveley at Chadfields.

Julian Dicks makes a notable return to former club Wivenhoe Town with his current side Grays Athletic and last year’s quarter-finalists Hullbridge Sports, the only club remaining from Round One this time, host Redbridge.

There will be another keenly contested encounter when runners-up AFC Hornchurch make the short trip to Eton Manor.

The deadline for the completion of the matches is on or before Saturday, November 6.

Essex Senior Cup third round draw: Romford vs Stansted; Heybridge Swifts vs Maldon & Tiptree; Wivenhoe Town vs Grays Athletic; Chelmsford City vs Witham Town; Canvey Island vs Harlow Town; Southend United vs Barking; Bowers & Pitsea vs Brentwood Town; Tilbury vs Aveley; Hullbridge Sports vs Redbridge; London APSA or Basildon United vs Billericay Town; Eton Manor vs AFC Hornchurch; East Thurrock United vs Waltham Abbey; Great Wakering Rovers vs Waltham Forest; Concord Rangers vs Thurrock; Dagenham & Redbridge vs Colchester United; Braintree Town vs Ilford.