MICHAEL Raynes is determined to help Oxford United enjoy a good FA Cup run – because he’s never had one.

The defender produced a terrific display on his return to the team in last week’s 2-1 win over Northampton.

Raynes contained in-form striker Adebayo Akinfenwa that day, and knows he will need to be at his best tomorrow when ex-England forward James Beattie lines-up for Accrington in the second round clash.

At stake is a place in the draw for the potentially money-spinning third round, when all the Premiership teams enter the competition.

It is something not lost on the former Rotherham man.

“I’ve never been lucky enough to have a good FA Cup run, so reckon I must be due one,” Raynes said.

“Accrington is a really difficult place to go and they have caused some upsets this year, especially at home, so we have to be right on our game if we’re going to make the third round.”

Raynes was forced to watch from the sidelines for several matches when on-loan Johnny Mullins partnered Jake Wright in defence.

But following Mullins’s recall, Raynes is desperate to make the position his again.

“That was my sort of game on Saturday – almost fighting with people – that’s me down to a tee,” he said.

“‘Big Aki’ had been on fire of late, so it was nice to keep him quiet.

“Beattie is a big a strong boy too and I think he could be similar, if not as big.”

He added: “It’s nice to be back in the team.

“You have bad games, get dropped, but you have to try not to beat yourself up about it and keep doing the graft.

“I used to beat myself up a lot after a bad game, but if we all were outstanding every week we’d be playing in the Premier League!”