HARROGATE Railway midfielder Jimmy Gore is a nervous man - and not just because the biggest game of his career is just days away.

If having to face the high-flying Robins from Bristol City wasn't bad enough, Gore faces an anxious wait as his wife Kate is due to give birth.

Gore junior was due to make an appearance two days ago, but with no sign yet, the former Nestl Rowntree play-maker is just hoping that the big day isn't on Sunday.

"I'm praying that it doesn't happen on Sunday," he said. "We've talked about it and I've told her that I've got to play, which she's not too pleased with.

"I'm not sure whether it's just because I'm getting carried away with the whole emotion of the FA Cup, but I really want to play.

"My brother has said that my kids will rather hear about me playing in the FA Cup than the fact I was there at their birth. I just hope it doesn't come to that.

"I'm a little bit nervous about it all."

He added: "We've had a strong curry and went for a long walk and still nothing, so I'm not sure whether I want the birth to happen before or after Sunday now."

Gore joined team-mates Mark Watkinson, Steve Haddon and Dean Wilson, plus boss Paul Marshall and assistant manager Mick Margis, at York's National Railway Museum yesterday as their roller-coaster week continued.

The sextet from Station View got their hands on the FA Cup for the first time as they were given a taster of what could result should the impossible happen and they win the competition - although they will just have to dream.

Despite being 26-years-old and having played football all his life, this is only Gore's second FA Cup season and already he is proving a lucky omen.

Last season, Rail reached the fourth qualifying round, only to lose in extra time to Morecambe, while this time around the club have surpassed all expectations to draw Bristol City in the second round.

"This is certainly the biggest game that I've ever played in," said Gore. "It is only my second season in the competition and I thought last season had been good."

Rail are massive underdogs for the tie, but Gore feels the Station View side have nothing to fear.

"I fancy us scoring at least, so it will all depend on how well we can defend," added Gore. "We have played a fair few sides higher than ourselves in the competition and we have always acquitted ourselves well and scored goals.

"I actually fancied the tie to be played at Elland Road as a Leeds United supporter, but being at Station View could be a great leveller.

"It is not a great pitch, you don't realise how big the slope is until you have to run up it, and the changing facilities are not the best, so I'm hoping that they won't fancy it."

Updated: 10:56 Wednesday, December 04, 2002