Chesterfield are the defending champions, having beaten Swindon Town in the previous year's final, 2–0.
The draw for the second round of the competition took place on 8 September 2012, with matches played in the week commencing 8 October 2012.
The draw for the Area Quarter-finals was made on 13 October 2012, and the matches will be played in the week commencing 3 December 2012.
The draw for the Area Semi-finals was made on 8 December 2012, and the matches were played in the week commencing 7 January 2013.
The area finals, which serve as the semi-finals for the entire competition, were contested over two legs, home and away.