MIDFIELDER Nick Symons may just have to pinch himself if Braintree Town pull off a Cup upset against Tranmere Rovers tomorrow.

The midfielder has played an integral part in a memorable last 18 months at the Amlin Stadium, helping the club gain promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier and then being part of the squad that safely stayed up last season.

But his dramatic rise goes back further than Braintree and the 28-year-old is hoping to add a win on Sunday to his growing list of successes as a part-time footballer.

“I was talking to someone the other day and explaining how I went up four divisions in four seasons,” said Symons, who made his way from Ryman League Division One North in 2008 to the Blue Square Bet Premier by 2011.

“I was with Brentwood, then Aveley and then (former Braintree boss) Rod Stringer took me to Braintree and each time I never thought it could get any better.

“Winning the Blue Square South with Braintree is obviously one of my biggest highlights but we get the chance to play in front of the nation tomorrow.

“We have had a lot of coverage with the TV cameras at our place this week and that gives you a taste of what it must be like to be in the big-time.”

Symons works as an electrical surveyor as well as turning out for Iron and the midfielder is confident Braintree can spark a Cup upset against Ronnie Moore’s League One leaders.

“We always seem to have been the underdogs and we seem to like it like that,” said Symons.

“We have got some good boys at the club with a lot of talent and we will be playing a team that don’t know much about us or where we play.

“Hopefully we can create a shock.”