HEARD the one about the footballer who scored a hat-trick to send his side into the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in a generation but can’t strut his stuff in the televised tie?

Meet Nick Haughton.

The Chorley midfielder was the match-winner in the fourth qualifying round replay win over Boston United last month as his treble helped the Magpies to a 4-3 extra time success.

He had performed a similar role in the 1-0 third round qualifying success over Ashton United with a 25-yard thunderbolt.

Those two wins put Matt Jansen’s side in the first round hat for the first time in 27 years but the draw paired them with League One neighbours Fleetwood Town, Haughton’s parent club.

“I was watching the draw and I was hoping it wasn’t going to be number 20 because I knew that was Fleetwood and I knew I wouldn’t be able to play. I couldn’t believe it when they came out, of all the teams what were the chances?” said Haughton on the eve of Monday night’s Victory Park clash which will be shown live on BT Sport.

“I wish I could play but the rules are the rules. There is nothing I can do about it and at the time (of the draw) we still had to win a replay to get through.

“In the Boston game I got a hat-trick and that was great because it is a hard place to go and we knew the prize for getting through was Fleetwood.

“It was strange knowing I wasn’t going to be able to play in the next round but I just had to help the team.

“I will be watching on Monday night and supporting both teams!

“It is a great opportunity for Chorley to play in front of the TV cameras and it will be a great occasion, I will just have to enjoy it from the stand!”

The same fate has befallen Chorley goalkeeper Matty Urwin who is also on loan from the Cod Army and both will have to make do with a place in the crowd come kick off.

Neither has trained with their parent club this week as Uwe Rosler prepares his team for the trip to a Chorley side who are in fine form in the National League North.

And Haughton, who has seven goals in his last six games, has played a key role in the Magpies rise up the table after a slow start to the season.

His FA Cup heroics have been matched in the league - with a 65-yard stunner against Alfreton Town one standout moment.

The clip was widely shared on social media and Haughton recalls how it was always in his mind to try and catch out home keeper Chris Elliott.

“I was looking at the keeper and had noticed he was standing quite a long way off his line,” Haughton added. “From then on I was just waiting for the ball to come to me in that kind of position on the half turn to see if I could try it.

“I didn’t even look because I knew where he was going to be and fortunately it went in.”

The 24-year-old is enjoying his stint in East Lancashire and, with his contract up at Highbury at the end of the season, could Chorley be a permanent destination?

“At this moment in time I am enjoying my time at Chorley but obviously I want to play in the Football League,” he said

“At the moment at Fleetwood I have not been getting games so we will have to see.

“You never know what happens. I just love playing football so I will just keep doing my best and see what happens.

“The manager (Jansen) has been different class since I came here.

“He is a really good man manager and I am enjoying my time here.”