LIAM Blakeman is hoping his second crack at FA Cup glory will have a more positive effect on his career than the last one.

The Burscough midfielder was a member of the Blackburn Rovers team that reached the FA Youth Cup final in 2001, losing 6-3 to Arsenal on aggregate.

But Burscough boss Derek Goulding cites Blakeman, now 22, as one of his young stars hoping to use today's first round tie at home to League One Gillingham as another career springboard.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for the young players here," said Goulding. "The lads who have been at professional clubs have got determination to try to get back into the professional game.

"So it's a chance to show what they can do and attract a bit of individual attention for themselves."

The success of the Rovers youth team didn't act as a launching pad for the career of midfielder Blakeman.

He soon slipped into the non-league game with Hereford, Southport, Leigh RMI and St Helens Town before joining his home town team Burscough.

It all emphasises the gulf in class between that Blackburn side and their Arsenal counterparts, who had a team packed with current Premiership stars.

Jermaine Pennant helped the Gunners to a 5-0 first leg lead at Highbury and although he didn't play in the second leg, which Rovers won 3-1, his star quality was clear to see.

In that first leg thrashing, three of Arsenal's four goalscorers are current Premiership players, and the other, Steve Sidwell, is well on his way there with Reading.

Jeremie Aliadiere, who is now with West Ham, hit two, Charlton's Jerome Thomas also scored as did Fulham full back Moritz Volz.

Although those players never made the grade with Arsenal, the contrast with Blakeman's fortunes since that game could hardly be greater.

But after helping UniBond Premier Burscough to their first first round appearance for 25 years, beating three Conference North clubs along the way, he is one of a clutch of players eager to make up for those lost years.

Goulding added: "We've go a lot of ambitious young players who want to test themselves against the best and you can't get better than a professional side.

"We want to progress as a club but it's been a good tester for the players that they have done so well in the FA Cup.

"Getting to the first round is an incredible achievement for the lads."