BRIGHOUSE Town Women have reached the dizzy heights of the FA Cup Second Round, but their chances of progressing could be scuppered without them even setting foot on the pitch.

That is because the FA are considering a coin toss or the drawing of lots as two of the potential options on how to settle outstanding ties in the second and third round of the tournament.

Fixtures are at non-elite level at this stage, meaning they cannot be played during lockdown.

It is a staggering suggestion, one which would surely be met with derision if it was considered to decide FA Cup ties in the men's competition.

And one of Brig's star players, Becky Gompertz, has emailed the FA to demand an explanation.

She believes that this way of deciding games in the competition is part of wider sexism in the women's game.

Not only that, but she points out that a coin toss or drawing of lots would potentially deprive lower league sides of glamour ties in later rounds against Women's Super League giants like Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Brig's second round game against Newcastle United Ladies had to be postponed last weekend, with the Lady Magpies under tier 4 restrictions at that point.

Of course, at this point, the national lockdown means Brig would be unable to fulfil the fixture regardless of who their opponents were.