DELIGHTED Town manager Peter Jackson looked forward to a dream FA Cup date at Chelsea, then pledged: "It won't affect our promotion bid."
Jackson's second-placed side are back on League I duty at MK Dons tomorrow, just 48 hours after their 1-0 Cup win at Worcester City.
Chris Brandon's 61st-minute goal sealed the victory over the non-Leaguers after fellow midfielder Danny Schofield was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 43rd minute.
Town's players were still warming down on the St George's Lane pitch when news of the trip to Chelsea on the weekend of January 7/8 came through.
"I think some of them thought I was saying Cheltenham," joked Jackson.
"They're delighted, which is understandable, and I'm delighted for them.
"It's never easy playing at a non-League ground, which is why the BBC were showing the tie live in the first place.
"That's especially true when you're down to 10 men, but we hung in there and got our just reward.
"Full credit to Worcester. They were well prepared and pushed us hard.
"But our attitude and workrate were both good and we were the better footballing side on a difficult surface.
"Once Chris Brandon scored, I never felt like we would lose the lead, because by that stage, our fitness levels were telling.
"Now we've got a big game at the reigning Premiership champions to look forward to, and it's a great chance to show how we are progressing.
"But first and foremost, we want to win promotion from League I, and we've got two big away games, at MK Dons and Bristol City (this Saturday) coming up fast.
"It's crucial we put thoughts of Chelsea to one side and prepare properly."
Town, of course, scored a shock 1-0 win at Chelsea in the third round of the then-Worthington (now Carling) Cup in 1999-2000, when Kenny Irons netted.
The most recent of the three previous FA Cup meetings between the pair was in 1982-83, when Chelsea won 2-0 in a third-round replay after a 1-1 draw at Leeds Road.
