ACCRINGTON hot-shot Paul Mullin is keen to be the Stanley hero again as the Reds travel to Colchester in the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm).

The frontman, who scored at Bournemouth in the second round, knows his side missed some great chances in Saturday's goalless clash with the Second Division side. And he wants to avenge that and is also eyeing a fourth round tie at First Division Coventry.

"I would love to nick one at Colchester," he said. "FA Cup goals are special because of what they mean and all the publicity and hype surrounding them. We know it won't be easy as they will come at us more but we more than matched them at our place and created more chances than we did against Huddersfield or Bournemouth."

Paul Cook had a last gasp header saved by U's keeper Simon Brown and Mullin admitted: "I thought it had gone in. Cookie's taken a bit of stick about it saying he should have scored but, as a striker, I always have an excuse lined up and I would say the keeper made a great save!"

Boss John Coleman won't even contemplate Coventry yet although, as Cook's former club, he knows his midfielder would relish the challenge.

"He has been laughing about it. He obviously is keen to play there but it is irrelevant. We have to handle Colchester first. They will come at us more but I think they will give us a bit more respect. It should be a good atmosphere."

And he knows his side will give 100 per cent no matter what against the U's.

"Many people will think our best chance has gone but we will not roll over and die for anybody. It is 11 against 11 on a rectangular pitch and if we create the chances we did last time, I am sure we will take one."

Colchester boss Phil Parkinson, though, has warned Stanley that they will have to be "above their best" to win at Layer Road. He was relieved to get away from the Interlink with a draw but knows his side are now the favourites to go through.

Parkinson said: "We face a very tough test to get past Accrington but, although they are a good team, if we are at our best, they will have to be above their best to get a result."

Hitman Mullin had fancied Manchester United in Monday's draw but instead his brother John got the Old Trafford showdown if Rotherham beat Northampton. However, the Stanley player was quite pleased that they could face the Sky Blues.

"I didn't think it was too bad a draw. It is a nice stadium, a big ground and Cookie's old club. It could have been worse!"

Defender Paul Haworth said: "The onus is on Colchester at their place and we have nothing to fear. It would be fantastic to play at Coventry, though. They were a Premiership club until recently, and it is a big stage."

Stanley chairman Eric Whalley wasn't too sure. "There will probably be mixed feelings from the players, but if someone had said to us at the start of the season that we could be going to Coventry in the fourth round of the cup, we would have taken it."

Coventry defender Mo Konjic said: "The draw is great for us as it makes us big, big favourites to get into the fifth round. We need to be ready and show what a good First Division side we are."

  • ANYBODY interested in travelling to Colchester by coach should get in touch with Stephen Lowe on 07775 704072. It will leave the Crown Pub at 12.30pm on Tuesday.