ANDY Procter has had no shortage of good times during his seven years with Accrington Stanley, but his dream of taking on the Premier League big boys in the FA Cup has so far eluded him.

Stanley have made consistent progress through the leagues since Procter’s arrival but their record in the FA Cup has not been good in recent times.

Tomorrow, though, they will get the opportunity to play for a place in the third-round draw for the first time in six seasons – in a match that Stanley assistant Jimmy Bell has described as the ‘biggest of the season’.

A first-round victory at home to Blue Square Premier side Salisbury was the Reds’ first in the FA Cup since 2003, and a home draw against fellow League Two club Barnet has given them a genuine chance of making further progress.

The financial rewards of a third-round tie against top-flight opposition are obvious, but for Procter the motivation is the chance to test himself against some of the world’s biggest stars.

The Stanley skipper was part of the the then Conference team that shocked Huddersfield and Bournemouth six years ago, only to be knocked out by the less-than-glamorous Colchester in their first appearance in the third round since the club was reformed in 1968.

Premier League opposition has come along only once since then, in a Carling Cup tie at struggling Watford in 2006.

“It’s an unfulfilled ambition, absolutely,” said Procter about the prospect of playing one of the big boys.

“You only have to look at the likes of Burton Albion going away to Old Trafford (in the third round four seasons ago). It shows it’s possible.

“It’s absolutely imperative we win tomorrow because I’d be sick if we got beat and Barnet went on to draw one of those big teams.

“It’s just a massive chance to go and show what you can do against teams at a higher level.

“It’s the magic of the FA Cup. Everyone knows it’s possible and we’re only one game away from drawing someone big in the third round.

“And to be honest we’re due a bit of luck. I remember a few years ago we got to the third round and drew Colchester.

“We’ve had luck so far with two home draws and, although we can’t really get ahead of ourselves because we’ve got to beat Barnet first, we know the prize on offer.”

Stanley will hope the match survives the wet weather that forced the postponement of Tuesday’s home game with Macclesfield, leaving them 17th in League Two – six places below Barnet, who were thumped 5-1 at Cheltenham in midweek.

The Reds have lost just one of their last seven matches and Procter said: “I’d fancy us at home against most teams.

“Barnet are a team who have been doing well in the league and they’ll come and be well organised. But if we produce half as much football as we know we can play, we’re more than a match for anyone from our league.”

Should Stanley get through, they will discover their next opponents when the third round draw takes place on ITV1 on Sunday at 3.55pm.