By Pete Oliver

Nuneaton relish Cup cash reward Nuneaton 1-1 Middlesbrough Murphy nominated for award

No one at Nuneaton Borough was more shocked than veteran defender Terry Angus after they almost caused one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history.

Nuneaton have a third-round replay with Premiership side Middlesbrough after a 1-1 draw at Manor Park.

But for Angus, the biggest surprise is that he is playing at all after planning, not for the first time, to retire last summer.

"I was going to stop while I still had decent knees," Angus told BBC Sport.

"I had come back from holiday and literally popped into the club and they said they were having centre-half problems.

"I said I would play a bit-part if they needed me and I have been going since then.

"I was certainly not planning to play for another year but it transpires we are into January and, for whatever reason, I am still turning out."

Angus celebrates his 40th birthday three days before Boro face their more illustrious namesakes at the Riverside Stadium.

But a number of injuries to team-mates and the form of the ex-Fulham and Northampton defender has meant that he has still had a key role to play alongside captain Neil Moore.

"People should recognise the input he has had on me and the rest of the team. He epitomises the management team and drives people on.

Gez Murphy (left) is congratulated after Nuneaton's draw with Boro

"It's been nice to have this Cup run and it has made me realise that I have got a decent one in me," said Angus, whose previous exploits in the competition have been less than memorable.

And he has certainly saved the best until last with his winning goal against Histon earning Nuneaton their big day against Middlesbrough, when Gez Murphy levelled late on from the spot.

"Gez deserves a lot of credit. It was a great day and we have to make the most of it," Angus said.

"Behind the scenes the Middlesbrough lads were superb and the game was played in a great spirit."

The euphoria within the squad and around the club has barely subsided, even if Saturday's trip to Redditch United in Conference North will come as a rude awakening.

Manager Roger Ashby will have his work cut out in keeping minds focused and selecting a team with next Tuesday night's trip to Teesside in mind.

Angus, a Nuneaton favourite who has spent the last seven years of his career at the club, may be rested, ready to renew combat with the likes of Yakubu and Mark Viduka.

He is, however, taking nothing for granted.

"If I play on Tuesday, that's great. If I don't, then so be it, that's the relationship I have with Roger and Kevin (Wilkin)," added Angus, who works with teenagers in schools and colleges in preparing them for adult life.

I'm Coventry through and through and either way I will see them in the fourth-round Terry Angus

"If, for the replay, they want to play a different centre-half, that's fair enough. That's the way it goes.

"As much as you have personal pride and you want to play on a big stage, it's not about Terry Angus, it's about Nuneaton Borough doing well now, and then, hopefully, getting promoted at the end of the season."

Going one better than last season's play-off defeat and regaining Conference National status is Nuneaton's top priority.

But taming Middlesbrough has propelled them into the limelight and Angus has every incentive to take on Boro again and try to secure Nuneaton's place in the fourth round for only the second time.

The draw has paired the winners with Coventry City, Angus' hometown club, the team he supports and the club where his son Dior attends the Academy.

He added: "Before Saturday I was fearing an embarrassment, but now I am just looking forward to playing on a lovely surface (in the replay) and enjoying it.

"The odds are so far against us but they will think we can give them a game. We will go and enjoy it and you can only fully enjoy it if you don't let yourself down.