LIKE every Grimsby Town fan, Paul Hurst was on the edge of his seat for the FA Cup Third Round draw.
The Mariners boss says watching Sunday's proceedings was the most nervous he'd felt during his career, with Town in the hat alongside clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
And while he admits it was disappointing not to be pitted against one of those Premier League big boys, he says being matched with Championship side Huddersfield Town still represents a 'good' draw for the club.
"Yes, they're not the Premier League team that everyone would have liked, but they're a big Championship club which is going along nicely and has got a strong fanbase – I was fairly happy with the draw," he told the Telegraph.
"It's a game that we'll look forward to. Obviously there's a lot of football to play between now and then and a lot of games that we need to focus on, but it's a decent draw to look forward to.
"Watching the draw, I have to say, and I don't know why, but it's one of the most nervous I've felt in my career.
"People say I'm usually quite calm and relaxed on the touchline but, sat watching it, I was on the edge of my seat!
"It seemed to take forever for our ball to come out.
"Just prior to us, the North London derby came out of the hat and we were all hoping for one of those teams.
"But also, every time a lower-ranked team came out, I was crossing my fingers that we didn't get them – especially away from home.
"In Huddersfield, I think we've got a team somewhere in between – it's a good draw for us."
The clash with the Terriers will take place at Blundell Park on the first weekend of January and will pit Hurst against Mark Robins – his former team-mate and manager.
So what chance of getting one over his old boss and making it into the hat for the fourth round – and another chance of drawing a plum tie?
"It's certainly going to be a massive task," Hurst added.
"We've already caused a couple of minor upsets in this competition and that would certainly be a major upset to overcome them.
"I'll look forward to meeting up with Mark again, who was a former team-mate and then my boss so there's a bit of a personal connection to me, which is nice."
