JAMES Clarke is hunting a small upset with Newport County AFC against Peterborough in the hope of earning more big occasions in the FA Cup towards the end of his career.

The co-captain will be part of an Exiles side aiming to down League One Posh at Rodney Parade in the first round of the competition this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Progress has big financial benefits and it could also lead to more magic memories.

Last season County beat National League trio of Oldham, Barnet and Eastleigh - with Clarke heading in a crucial goal in a replay - to earn a crack at Manchester United at a packed Rodney Parade.

For experienced centre-back Clarke, an Arsenal fan, it was a long-awaited glamour tie in which he pitted himself against a Red Devils attack featuring Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony with Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.

INFLUENTIAL: County co-captain James ClarkeINFLUENTIAL: County co-captain James Clarke (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

“Before I was here Newport had pretty special FA Cup runs and I had never really experienced any before,” said the 34-year-old, who joined from Walsall in 2021 after previously playing for Bristol Rovers and in non-league with Woking, Salisbury and Oxford.

“It was my first one and I thought I was running out of time. Loads of players go through their careers without those FA Cup moments.

“It's a special competition for everyone but especially for Newport with the history in it. It was a great day and we gave a really good account of ourselves.”

County now aim to upset the odds against a Posh side who are mid-table in League One after being play-off semi-finalists for the previous two campaigns.

The visitors have been stretched by injury but Darren Ferguson can still call on some quality players, notably one of the third tier’s biggest attacking threats in Kwame Poku.

They are 13th in League One but are the third highest scorers and promise to test the Exiles’ defence, who have kept two clean sheets on the spin.

“It's not a tie like United but they are still a big club who are going well in League One,” said Clarke, whose contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

“They have always been pushing and have been in and out of the Championship; they are a highly ambitious club who spend their money well.

“We've looked at them and they can be good going forward but we are on the back of two clean sheets.

“It will be a tough game but with the magic of the FA Cup you never know.”

The tie will be settled today as replays have controversially been scrapped from the first round proper onwards in the famous competition.