Essex boy Gavin Cowan heads ‘home’ tomorrow as AFC Telford United travel to Southend for their big FA Cup replay – and the defender believes an upset is on the cards.

The experienced centre-back turned in an eye-catching display on Saturday as Telford extended their unbeaten run to 15 games with a 1-0 victory over Gateshead in the Blue Square North. 

•  See also: Telford 1 Gateshead 0

And the former Canvey Island, Shrewsbury and Grays man believes they can go to Roots Hall for their first round replay oozing with confidence. 

“Opportunities like this don’t come along too often for players who play in the upper echelons of non-League,” he said. 

“We’re really looking forward to it and we fancy our chances – we never go anywhere thinking we’re not going to get a result. 

“There’s a team every year that does it. We’ve seen Chasetown do it and loads of others in the history of the FA Cup, so why not us? Why can’t it be AFC Telford this year?’ 

“I’ve got a lot of family over that way and a lot of friends, and I think plenty of them are making the trip so I’m buzzing about it.” 

Cowan admits that winning promotion remains the chief goal this season, and to that end he was delighted to see loan man James Meredith net his first goal for the club to beat Gateshead. 

The victory had added significance for Cowan as it came just two days after the death of his uncle. 

“My Uncle Bob died on Thursday so I’m glad we got the result because it means I can dedicate it to him,” he said. “We’re aware the league is our main priority and the gaffer made that very clear before the game. 

“Gateshead are exceptional going forward. They’ve got two great front men and they’re very dangerous out wide. 

“We just competed and dealt with it. We’ve got a four at the back who are starting to gel and we just battled.”