FORMER Accrington Stanley star Brett Ormerod last night spoke of his joy at hearing his old club had clinched promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

Ormerod was busy preparing for Southampton's FA Cup semi-final clash with Watford at the weekend when the news filtered through that Stanley had won the UniBond Premier Division title.

That was the start of a memorable 24 hours for the ex-Crown Ground favourite, who then went on to lead the Saints to the FA Cup final with a match-winning performance on Sunday.

But as his own achievement sunk in yesterday, the 26-year-old striker took time out to pass on his heartfelt congratulations to the club who helped to save his career.

"I'd like to congratulate Eric Whalley and all the lads at Stanley," said Ormerod.

"I've been following Stanley's progress all season. My dad sends me the paper down every week.

"They've led from the start, they've been consistent and they thoroughly deserve everything they have achieved."

Ormerod has come a long way since he joined Stanley on £40 a week following his release by Blackburn Rovers.

But Sunday's game made the blood, sweat and tears all worthwhile as he led the Saints to their first FA Cup final since 1976.

It was a sweet moment for a player who found himself on football's scrapheap not so long ago and it also silenced the critics who have attacked his goalscoring record this term.

"I've been happy with the way I've been playing and the only thing missing has been the goals," he added.

"The papers have been saying I haven't scored in 24 games but I haven't started 24 games," said Ormerod.

"We've been swapped around a few times this year. Either me or Jo Tessem has tended to partner James Beattie so my record isn't as bad as it actually sounds.

"But now I've got one again, hopefully that will help me to put a run together between now and the end of the season."

Ormerod and his Southampton team-mates will now savour every minute of the build-up to next month's final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

It's a venue he has played at before and how he would love a repeat of the

outcome that day when he found the net in a 4-0 win.

"I know what it's like to score there. I was on the score-sheet when

Blackpool got promotion in the play-offs a couple of years ago," said the

Blackburn-born frontman.

"That was a great day and it's a terrific stadium so I'm looking forward to going back there again."