BURY Town skipper Gavin Johnson wants to end his career with a bang courtesy of a high-profile run in the FA Cup.

Stuart Watson

FA Cup run just the ticket for Gavin

By Stuart Watson

BURY Town skipper Gavin Johnson wants to end his career with a bang courtesy of a high-profile run in the FA Cup.

The former Ipswich and Colchester professional turned 39 earlier this month and has admitted that this season will be his last.

And there is nothing he would like more than to beat Oxford City in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the world's most famous club competition today before drawing a big name League One club in tomorrow's First Round draw.

Johnson thought his chances of a last hurrah had gone last season when Bury, having made it all the way to the First Round, were defeated by Blue Square North side Alfreton Town.

But Richard Wilkins' side have battled through four rounds already this season - including two replay wins - to keep Johnson's dream alive.

“We had a taste of it last year but it didn't quite work out for us,” said the veteran defender. “I thought that was my chance gone, but we're now looking to get in the First Round again which would be great, not just for me personally, but for the whole club.

“This is a massive game as Oxford City look a decent side, but if we play as well as we can on our day we'll give them a good game.”

Bury - who ply their trade at step four of the non-league pyramid in the Zamaretto League, Division One Midlands - have already beaten three higher level opponents to get this far in the form of King's Lynn, Matlock Town and Bedford Town.

And like the aforementioned trio, Oxford City are also only one division higher than Bury Town - currently ninth in the Zamaertto Premier Division after losing their last three league matches.

The Blues have not played in the league since late September - their last six matches having been in various cup competitions - and they have not had a game in 11 days since their FA Cup replay win over Bedford Town.

Preliminary Qualifying Round

Rothwell Town (A) 1-0

First Qualifying Round

King's Lynn (H) 2-0

Second Qualifying Round

Matlock Town (A) 2-2, replay (H) 2-0.

Third Qualifying Round

Bedford Town (H) 1-1, replay (A) 4-3.

Formed: 1882

Ground: Court Place Farm

League: Zamaretto, Premier Division (step three)

- Once managed by legendary World Cup winner Bobby Moore

- Reached the FA Vase final in 1995

- Reached the FA Cup First Round in 1999-00 before losing in a second replay to Wycombe. The first replay had been abandoned due to a fire alarm just as the penalty shootout was about to start - this remains the only FA Cup tie to go to a second replay since the FA ruled all ties should be settled after a maximum of two games