IAN Dunbavin is certainly a man for the big occasion.

The 26-year-old keeper was close to winning Sky's Man of the Match award in Stanley's historic win over Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup first round on Monday thanks to a series of stunning late saves.

Rommy Boco just beat him to the champagne but Dunbavin revealed he hasn't shied away from the limelight on previous big occasions.

"When I was at Shrewsbury, I was part of that FA Cup run which saw us beat Everton and lose to Chelsea. It was brilliant. It is always nice to face those players, you do just have to treat it like another game, but then you realise you have internationals bearing down on you.

"Beating Everton was a high point of my career especially as I am a Liverpool fan! I know a few of the players want Everton in the next round of the Carling Cup but I have already beaten them!

"Then Chelsea were just amazing. That was a nightmare as they had Zola playing for them and he got a couple of goals - but I did win the Man of the Match so I must have done something right!"

But, along with those FA Cup memories, he says Monday's Carling Cup success was just as special.

"It was certainly up there. It was brilliant to win and I have watched a couple of the saves on the TV and they were okay! The one against Neil Harris, I was just in the right place when it hit my legs," admitted the modest goalie.

"But when you are playing you do tend to forget you are on television. Then I spoke to my family and friends afterwards and they were saying they couldn't believe some of the saves and that we had won. And then I rung my mum and she was crying! She had me worried at first as I thought something bad had happened but then she told me she was crying because we had won - she does tend to get emotional!"

He continued: "I enjoyed the game and it was my first clean sheet and to get it against a team like Nottingham Forest can't be bad. It was great for the club and it puts the whole team in the shop window and shows how well we can do."

Now he is desperate to keep his place despite the expected return of on-loan Charlton keeper Rob Elliot, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

"I have got to hope I have done enough. I hope I have won some fans over as I know Rob was the main man last season and was brilliant. After all, he is a Premiership keeper.

"But I have had injuries when other people have benefited and so perhaps it is my turn. It unfortunately happens in football.

"I hope I have given the gaffer a headache and I would like to think I have put a good case forward.

"In the first few games there were a few problems, I was getting used to everyone, but now I like to think the defence are a solid unit and we can keep going."

And what of the accusation that he and Ian Craney are long lost brothers?

"The gaffer started that. Ian should be made up to look like me!"

Perhaps he isn't so modest!