Jason Mooney admits he will be ‘fulfilling a dream’ if he starts in the FA Cup against former club York City on Saturday.

Mooney hasn’t played in the world’s oldest cup competition before and what makes it extra special for the goalie is that he was with the Minstermen last season.

“I am looking forward to Saturday as it will be fulfilling a little dream for me to play in the FA Cup,” said the 26-year-old.

“I was a Manchester United fan as a kid and I always watched their games, I can remember them playing Crawley especially.

“I think there is slightly more at stake for Saturday’s game because it is in the cup. If you do not do the job you are out, it’s as simple as that.

“For us there is the pride in winning and, for me, it’s against my old club.”

Mooney didn’t make an appearance for York when he was there last season and felt he was never given a chance.

He has started all but one game for the Reds this season and believes he is getting stronger every match.

And while he feels he has a point to prove to his old club, the management at York has changed with Jackie McNamara appointed the new boss this week, replacing Russ Wilcox who left last month.

“I think any player enjoys playing against their old club and want to do as well as they can,” continued Mooney.

“I didn’t feel I had the chances last season so now I do want to show what I can do.

“I have had a look at their line-up and I only know about four or five of their players from last season so it is a new-look York side. There is a new manager in place and I guess it was a good time for them to appoint one as there are no points at stake. He has around 10 days to settle in before there are points at stake. For us though, it’s all about winning.”

Mooney will have to cope with a reshuffled backline with Dean Winnard suspended although Stanley do have Middlesbrough right back Brad Halliday, who was on loan with York last season,

“We have been defensively solid this season, except for perhaps Wimbledon,” said Mooney. “At spells we have had Dean, Tom (Davies) and Bucko (Adam Buxton) out but the players who have come in have done really well.

“I have confidence in them and they have confidence in me. Attacking wise we are creating so many chances. We only put one away at Leyton Orient last week but thankfully it was enough and we would like to make it more comfortable – which hopefully we will do on Saturday.”