Defender Michael Nelson sees Saturday's FA Cup tie as a chance for Scunthorpe United to return to winning ways.

Coming off the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, the Iron centre-back believes it is important to regain some momentum against AFC Wimbledon before the visit of Hartlepool in League One.

"It gives you a little break from the league campaign," Nelson said of the FA Cup.

"It would have been nice to get the three points at Bournemouth to make sure the break in the league goes a little bit smoother, but this is a chance for us to get back to winning ways.

"Results have been quite good of late. We've had a nice run, especially when you look at Brentford, MK Dons and Huddersfield .

"I think a lot of people would have put us down as getting beat in those games, but we feel hard done by that we haven't won two out of the three.

"Sometimes the cup can be a distraction but sometimes it can be a welcome break as well.

"It can be a good thing – it depends whether you get a win.

"We were disappointed that we didn't play well and get the result we wanted at Bournemouth , especially with it being such a long journey as well.

"This is a chance for us to get another win and carry some momentum into the next league game."

For Nelson, the FA Cup has not lost any of its magic.

The 31-year-old has some fond memories of the competition, particularly with former club Hartlepool .

"I think the magic is still there, especially when you see the lower league teams who have managed to make it in," he said.

"There are a couple of non-league teams playing against each other so there will be a few guaranteed a place in the second round, which always adds to the hype and magic of it.

"TV tend to try to get some real underdogs so it generates quite a bit of interest I think.

"Being a Newcastle fan, playing at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland for Hartlepool was a memorable game, and we managed to beat Stoke at home, which I scored in for Hartlepool .

"There have been one or two good games, but I'd settle for just a horrible, nasty win against Wimbledon as long as Scunthorpe's name is in the hat for the second round."