FOREST Green Rovers stand on the cusp of a dream draw against a massive football side after being handed an away tie in the FA Cup second round on Monday night.

They were the last team out of the hat and avoided some of the big guns of League One and Two and also some of the potential banana skins in the minnows below them.

Instead, Forest Green have been given the task of beating either National League rivals Braintree or League Two Oxford United on the first weekend of December.

But with the Premier League sides entering the Cup in the third round, victory in round two could pit the National League leaders against the biggest stars in the sport in England.

Forest Green manager Ady Pennock will be at Oxford to see their first round replay against Braintree on Tuesday after Rovers caused a Cup shock by beating League Two AFC Wimbledon by 2-1 last Saturday thanks to a late Elliot Frear winner.

Pennock admits playing either Braintree or Oxford will be difficult. “It’s a tough draw,” he said: “But at least I get the chance to see them play next Tuesday.

“We know all about Braintree, of course, and Oxford are doing well in League Two.”

Having watched the draw on TV, Pennock said having the chance to face the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal or Liverpool in the third round was ‘an unbelievable incentive’ for the National League leaders to get through the next round.

But as much as Forest Green hit the national headlines this weekend by beating AFC Wimbledon, that would be small fry if they landed struggling Chelsea in the third round.

Pennock, though, said he has sympathy for under-fire Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at the reigning Premier League champions.

Pennock said: “I love Jose to bits and football in this country needs Jose Mourinho. He is a fantastic manager. To be a manager is not easy and he will turn it around (at Chelsea). He is a winner.”

And Pennock said Forest Green would not be worried about taking on Oxford United, who are currently second in League Two, as the clash with Wimbledon last Saturday showed that the New Lawn side are more than a match for a team in that division.

“Wimbledon was the best win I have had since I have been at the club,” said Pennock. “We were the underdogs and they are a very good side.”

The manager also said that his side would not get distracted by the FA Cup in the more major assignment of claiming automatic promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.

And, despite claims that Forest Green may not last the pace, after they won nine consecutive games at the start of the season, Pennock has belief in his squad.

“We have won the last five out of seven games,” said the manager. “People say we have had a bit of a wobble but we are top of the table in November. Because we started the season so well, I think the expectiation levels went through the roof.

“But we were not going to win every single game of the season.

“People are saying we are wobbling at the moment but we are top of the league and have just been on Match of the Day. Our priority is the National League but the Cup is a lovely distraction.”