Junior McDougald aims to exploit his brush with stardom by returning to League football.

The former Albion forward, a Born Again Christian, is praying for an opportunity to make his mark again in the professional game.

McDougald has been in the spotlight since heading Dagenham and Redbridge towards one of the all-time FA Cup upsets.

He opened the scoring in the minnows' third round clash against Charlton at the Valley two Saturdays ago, only for the Premiership club to salvage a second chance with a late equaliser.

McDougald believes there is more at stake for him and his team-mates in tonight's replay than just the result.

"Lots of us want to be back in the League and playing as high as possible," he said. At 25 I would like to think I have still got time.

"We are under no illusions. The first game was a special day and we know this is going to be even more difficult, but there is no pressure on us whatsoever."

McDougald was in Liam Brady's Albion side which knocked Leicester out of the League Cup, but he has never known anything like the media frenzy created by Dagenham's amazing draw at the Valley.

"It has been very manic to put it mildly, but I am not complaining at all," he said. "It's a new experience. Never in my football career have I had so much exposure.

"It has been totally unexpected but really enjoyable."

McDougald was interviewed live on ITV when the fourth round draw was made. Poignantly his old club Spurs will be Dagenham's next rivals if they cause a sensation tonight.

"In rehearsal for the draw we got Man United," McDougald revealed. "Personally I was more excited about getting Tottenham.

"I was there from the age of ten until 19 when I came to Brighton, so it was a long affiliation. To be blatantly honest though I haven't even thought about playing them."

McDougald reckons Dagenham's decision to stage the replay at their compact Victoria Road ground, rather than Upton Park, has increased the chances of a shock.

It could be an uncomfortable evening in Essex for the two former Seagulls in the Charlton camp, boss Alan Curbishley and Welsh international John Robinson, together with Brighton-born defender Steve Brown.

"It would have been more lucrative to switch, but Charlton would have been more familiar with West Ham than us and now it's live on Sky anyway which means more revenue," said McDougald. If we are going to have any chance of beating them then playing on our pitch in front of our supporters is a step in the right direction. It will be initimidating for them.

"Our fans make a lot of noise and they are very close to the action."

McDougald joined Dagenham last season following spells with Chesterfield, Rotherham, French club Toulon, Millwall and Leyton Orient. The Texas-born striker scored 22 goals in 95 games for Albion from 1994-96 and he has happy memories of his stint on the south coast.

Fellow former Seagulls Jefff Minton and Nicky Rust were among the first to congratulate him on his goal at the Valley.

"I still come back to Brighton every now and then to see friends," McDougald said.

"It is still strange seeing Burger King and goodness knows what else where the Goldstone used to be.

"The fans were superb and I hope they get promoted. I always look out for their results and the club will always have a place in my heart."