Colchester United are today standing just one match away from a place in the FA Cup fourth round and a possible glamour tie.

And no-nonsense U's boss Phil Parkinson firmly believes his team can reach that stage for the first time since bowing out to Sheffield United 15 seasons ago.

Phil Parkinson

The U's must first overcome Nationwide Conference high-flyers Accrington Stanley, giant-killers of football league opponents Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth, at their tiny Crown Ground - the scene of tomorrow's David versus Goliath third round clash.

Parkinson told The Evening Gazette: "People up there are saying this is the biggest game in Accrington Stanley's history.

"Right now it's the biggest game in Colchester United's history and I want us to go up there and do a good professional job.

"We're not even thinking about the fourth round at this time, but if we get it right on the day and keep 11 players on the pitch I know we've got enough ammunition in the side to get the better of Accrington."

Parkinson has left nothing to chance in his preparations for tomorrow's big match against a Stanley side that went down to a last minute own goal at Morecambe yesterday in a full New Year's Day programme of Conference football.

"Accrington are a very good side, make no mistake about that," said the U's boss.

"Many of the top Conference clubs are better than a lot of Division Three teams so we've watched Accrington on video and had every one of their games watched since we knew we were going to play them."

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Published Friday January 2, 2004

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