NOW starting his 13th season as a professional, Scunthorpe United defender Paul Reid admits he is still waiting for his first real taste of success in the Carling Cup.

He is hoping that might start tonight when the Iron visit Accrington Stanley in round one of this year's competition.

Twelve months ago, Reid was part of the Colchester squad that overcame League Two opponents at the first hurdle, winning 3-0 at Hereford.

That earned the Essex side a big trip to Premier League Sunderland in round two.

But injury ruled Reid out of the trip to the Stadium of Light, where his side went down 2-0.

"To be honest, this competition has always been pretty uneventful for me," the United centre-back confessed.

"I have never really got too far in it, never really played against one of the big clubs.

"Maybe I am due one this season here at Scunthorpe."

Accrington's Crown Ground will be unfamiliar territory for Reid, who will be starting only the 19th League Cup tie of his career.

"I have never played a first team game there," he said. "I think I did once play a reserve team game there, but it was years ago."

He expects the League Two side will make life difficult for Scunthorpe on their own ground.

"They will be a decent team and want to progress in this Cup as much as we do," added Reid.

"But the way I look at it, it is an opportunity to keep a very early unbeaten run going at the start of the season.

"We played well in our opening game at Wycombe and this is an opportunity for us to get a bit of early momentum going.

"Games always come thick and fast at the start of the season.

"All we want to do tonight is go there, get the win and then we can concentrate on League One again.

"We played well at Wycombe and have got to try to keep it going."