THRUST into the limelight in Tranmere Rovers’ shock run to Wembley in 2000, Accrington Stanley new boy Andy Parkinson knows a thing or two about League Cup upsets.

Few will give Stanley a chance of claiming their first ever League Cup away victory when they travel to face Championship side Doncaster Rovers in the first round tonight, kick-off 7.45pm, but Parkinson knows the winning formula.

“For the teams in the lower leagues, it’s got to be based around workrate,” says the 31-year-old.

While long throw specialist Dave Challinor stole many of the headlines during that Tranmere cup run, plenty of admiring glances were also cast towards the fresh-faced 5ft 8in wide man who would score a decisive solo goal against Middlesbrough in the quarter final.

John Aldridge’s side would beat three more top flight teams that season – Coventry in the Worthington Cup, West Ham and Sunderland as they reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup – but they fell 2-1 to Martin O’Neill’s Leicester at Wembley.

“For a player who was 20 to play at Wembley, the last League Cup final at the old Wembley, it was obviously the best moment of my career so far,” said Parkinson, who came off the bench as Stanley drew 0-0 at home to Aldershot in their season opener on Saturday.

“I scored a decent goal against Middlesbrough and they are all great memories I can look back on. It was great times, especially because I was only young.

“Maybe the League Cup is not as glamorous at this stage but the competition has to start somewhere and we’re under no illusions about how difficult a game it’s going to be at Doncaster.

“There will be quite a few heavy legs after playing on a heavy pitch on Saturday. They’re a quality outfit and it will be tough for us.”

The former Tranmere man may be on the bench again tonight, with Craig Lindfield set to make his first appearance since rejoining the club after recovering from a knee problem. There are doubts over Rory Boulding (Achilles) and Charlie Barnett (hamstring).

But Parkinson is happy to be back in the League Cup after two years in non-league with Cambridge and Gateshead.

“I’m delighted to be back in the league,” he said.

“Initially for me the aim is just to get a place in the team. I’ve signed until January, so hopefully I can do well enough to get that extended.”