Work experience goalkeeper ready for Man Utd

"I actually haven't seen any of the highlights on TV," said Jones. "I've only got four channels at home and by the time we got back from Manchester the programme had finished. I didn't want to get up early in the morning to watch the re-run because I was pretty tired so I didn't bother setting my alarm. I saw a couple of papers the next day but it wasn't just me that did well, it was the whole team."

That Jones found himself in the middle of one of the FA Cup's greatest stories in recent years - a 0-0 draw that he himself describes as unbelievable - owes much to good fortune. Jones candidly admits that "no one at Exeter would have even heard of me" had Alex Inglethorpe, Orient's former youth team coach, not taken over at the Conference club in October.

Furthermore, his opportunity to break into the Exeter side, having joined in the middle of November, arrived only when first-choice goalkeeper Martin Rice was sent off in a league game. Nevertheless, Jones has made the most of the chance that presented itself and he approaches tonight's match brimming with confidence - even if Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at St James Park with the full cavalry.

"It will be tougher, a lot tougher than at Old Trafford because I have heard that they are bringing a strong team, but we are going into the game to win it," said Jones. "We have been preparing all week to win the game and if we take our chances who knows what might happen."

Exeter were not without their opportunities in the first encounter, though Jones, not surprisingly, was the busier of the two goalkeepers. Although he has not dwelled on the experience, a late save from Ronaldo is engrained in his mind. "I think that was the most important one because it came at the start of the onslaught which lasted for about 10 minutes," said Jones. "It was difficult too because he hit it early and the ball took a deflection on the way."

HOWEVER, while thwarting Manchester United's star-studded attack was a " surreal experience", Jones's favourite memory of Exeter's proudest day arrived when the match had actually finished.

"After the final whistle the fans stayed behind and applauded, but it wasn't just the Exeter fans clapping. United supporters stayed too, and that shows just how well we did."

The home team's players were also complimentary, to a point. Although Exeter didn't enjoy access to the players' bar, Jones's counterpart Tim Howard offered his shirt and a "well done" as the two left the field. "I'm hoping that I'll get the chance to have a proper chat with him after tonight's match", said the teenager.

It is an occasion that will be witnessed by his mother, father and two sisters, who all made the trip to Old Trafford.

"I have also had old school friends that I haven't spoke to for about three or four years sending me text messages and phoning up," said Jones. Perhaps they were a little aggrieved that their work experience wasn't quite as glamorous.