THAT had to be one of the most exciting FA Cup first rounds in recent memory.

It started with Salford City on the Friday night, which I thought was a fantastic advert for the competition.

The atmosphere and everything about the tie just felt like the FA Cup had been transported back to the old days.

I turned the telly on fully expecting to be bored within 15 minutes, but it just drew me in.

Altrincham getting through and Bury absolutely wiping the floor with Wigan just carried that feeling through the weekend.

I was actually excited listening to the draw live on radio and I couldn’t have been more pleased to hear Rochdale come up.

Forget about it being David Flitcroft’s first game back at Spotland, the attraction if this tie is not about Flicker going up against his old mentor Keith Hill, it is much bigger than that.

It is a massive local derby between two proud clubs trying to get into the third round of the FA Cup, which is basically their cup final.

Who knows what will happen next for the winners?

So, with that in mind, I think you can guarantee it being a full house, and the TV money is an added bonus.

It took a fantastic performance to get Bury to this point.

I was scouting at the Rotherham v Ipswich game, and have to admit to being pleasantly surprised when the goals started firing in.

Wigan had been in good form, but it looked as if everything clicked for Bury.

By all accounts, Danny Mayor played a blinder and all of the Shakers’ big hitters weighed in with a performance.

I have always said, when that happens, Flitcroft’s men are as strong as any team in League One, so if all goes well at Rochdale in the next round they have a good chance of getting through.

Before then, there are some big games coming up, starting with Bury’s trip to title chasers Gillingham on Saturday.

I will be interested to see how Paddy Kenny fares at Priestfield Stadium this weekend.

He said himself, at 37, he had given up hope of getting another club, and yet the former Sheffield United man looks set to play his first competitive game in nearly a year.

Kenny could be a great signing for Bury – he has an affinity with the club and has experience of playing at a much higher level.

It will be interesting to see what kind of an affect all that time out has had on his game, but if they can get him fit and on it then there can’t be many better keepers at this level.