Jamie Vermiglio and Ryan Young celebrate the Bucks victory

Heartbroken AFC Telford United midfielder Jamie Vermiglio has revealed his Wembley dream is driving him on – despite being told to quit football or risk permanent nerve damage.

The primary school teacher, 26, has a stress fracture in his back that is affecting his legs.

And last night’s dramatic 1-0 FA Trophy victory at Southport could even prove to be his final game if medical advice prevails.

Vermiglio revealed it was his manager Rob Smith who ordered him to get his back problem investigated after his performances started to deteriorate earlier in the season.

“I’ve had an MRI scan and it’s revealed I’ve got a fracture to my No 5 lumbar vertebrae,” he said.

“It’s caused a disc to slip and that’s causing pain in the nervous system down my legs.

“I’ve been in serious pain with it for about four or five months, but never really done anything about it. I’ve just been knocking back pain-killers so I could play.”

Vermiglio is determined to try and continue if he can, at least as long as there is the possibility of a Wembley appearance in the offing at the end of the season.

“I understand the situation with the club where if I play and something serious happens to me then they are going to feel some sort of responsibility and they are going to feel liable for any injury that I incur,” he added.

“But I’ve signed a disclaimer saying it’s totally my responsibility and if I play it’s my choice and if anything happens it’s totally down to me.

“Lee Carter (the chairman) has been brilliant to me and I’m not giving up hope yet – I can go and see another specialist and, fingers crossed, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Vermiglio also admitted to mixed emotions during the quarter-final replay celebrations last night – delight at the result but disappointment that he had not played a bigger part in it.

“When Vaughanie got sent off and we went down to 10 men Rob was looking to make a change,” he said.

“I obviously wanted to stay on and I was really gutted to be taken off, but I can see the theory behind it.

“I can be a bit of a liability in the second half because I’ve been tiring and stiffening up so it was a good decision to take me off in hindsight.

“I’m still gutted because although I’m really made up to be in the semi-finals, I can’t help but feel that I’ve not really played a big part in it – people will say well done, but you really want to be on there when that final whistle blows.”

By CHRIS HUDSON