SPENNYMOOR TOWN midfielder Jamie Chandler says that Moors have a “real opportunity” to produce an FA Cup upset when they tackle MK Dons in the first round on Saturday.

Chandler has been one of the stars of Moors’ season so far having joined the club in the summer after leaving Gateshead.

As well as being in the thick of the promotion fight in the NPL Premier Division, moving up to sixth with Tuesday's 4-1 win over Workington, Spennymoor have reached the first round of the Cup.

MK Dons, struggling in League One, have not won a league game at home since March, and recently sacked Karl Robinson as manager.

“We’ve had a tough run so far, and we’ve had more games than MK Dons. We’ve played four matches and they haven’t played any," said Chandler, who reached the third round with Gateshead, losing 7-0 to West Brom.

"They’ll be looking at the fixture thinking that it’s an opportunity for them to get their season back on track, but we’re going down there with the same mindset that we always have, and that’s of winning games. We’ve come through the run well, we’ve got some big characters on the field and we’ve played some decent stuff. At home we fancy ourselves against anyone, but going down there will be a one off game and a real opportunity for us to go and stamp our authority.”

This is the third time that the 27-year-old has played in the first round proper since he left Darlington in January 2012.

He added: “I've had two good runs with Gateshead. Two years ago we beat Norton United in the first round, Warrington in the second and got through to the third round which was quite special, but the result at West Brom wasn’t special unfortunately in the end.

“Three years ago we played Oxford United when we were 2-0 up at one stage then drew 2-2 and we brought them back home and were quite positive of going through. But we went down to a late penalty in extra time.

“There’s always a magic feeling to a game like this in the FA Cup. It’s an old cliché but we’re looking forward to the game, and it will be a great day out. It’s an opportunity for us to go and show what we’re all about.

“There are a lot of people saying that we can go down there and cause a shock. We’ll be well-prepared and boosted by the win against Workington in midweek. That win put us in the play offs with a few games in hand on the others, and we’re right in the mix where we want to be. We’ll go down there full of confidence, and there’ll be a big, nice pitch for us to play on, which will suit us.”

Chandler has never been recognised as a goalscoring midfielder in his time playing for Quakers and the Heed, but he scored twice for Moors in a recent game against Buxton in the NPL Premier Division.

“I got some stick from the lads about it," he said. I got a bit of a nosebleed because I got so far forward. I was delighted that I got off the mark this season, but I’m disappointed that I haven’t got a few more. I’ve been playing in a bit of a deep role which is important to the team, but when I break forward I’m looking to chip in, and if I score more then I’ll be really pleased – especially if I score on Saturday.”