ACCRINGTON Stanley may go into Friday’s play-off semi final second leg chasing a 2-0 deficit, but defender Joe Jacobson still has his sights on a showpiece final after missing out on the big day during his time at Bristol Rovers.

Jacobson played in both legs of the Pirates’ League Two play-off semi final triumph over Lincoln in 2007, with Rovers winning 2-1 at home before claiming a 5-3 triumph at Sincil Bank.

But the 24-year-old’s three-month loan from Cardiff expired just days before the Wembley final against Shrewsbury, which Rovers won 3-1, and Football League regulations did not allow it to be extended – despite concerted appeals to the footballing authorities.

Jacobson, who also missed most of the semi final celebrations after being summoned for a random post-match drugs test, now wants to help Stanley to the play-off final at Old Trafford on May 28 so he can be involved in the big occasion himself.

“It became clear with a week or two left, because we only got into the play-offs on the last day, that I wasn’t going to be able to play in the final,” he recalled.

“We tried through the FA and the PFA to see if we could do anything about it but I wasn’t allowed to play at Wembley, which I was gutted about.

“But the club were really good and they invited me to the game. I stayed in the hotel with the team and it was just a great day out at the final. It was a fantastic occasion.

“Hopefully we can get to the final here. This is the best set of fans I’ve played in front of by far, their support has been brilliant, and it would be great to give them something to celebrate.”