JOHN Mousinho does not believe an Emirates FA Cup run would be a distraction for Oxford United and wants the side to continue their upward curve at Home Park.

The U’s take on Plymouth Argyle in the second round tomorrow on the back of a superb display at home to Rochdale in midweek.

Both sides will view a tie against a Sky Bet League One counterpart as winnable.

And there is the added incentive of a potential third round tie against a Premier League club.

With United still sixth from bottom, some of Mousinho’s teammates have previously been wary about the distraction of a cup competition.

However, the U’s skipper views it as an opportunity to continue their momentum.

He said: “We obviously can’t get too carried away and ahead of ourselves, because we need to go and beat Plymouth first.

“That’s going to be a tough task, they’ve picked up since we beat them at home earlier in the season.

“It’s a long trip and it’s going to be off the back of playing quite a few games, but it’s an FA Cup tie and it’s going to be brilliant.

“I think we did really well the other night to beat Forest Green Rovers (in a replay) and deserved the tie, so once we’re down there we might as well have a really good go.”

United have already had a taste of the big time this season, losing 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

Mousinho says he would love another draw of that calibre but, if they are to beat the Pilgrims tomorrow, he would rather progress a little further in the competition first.

He added: “I’d like to draw a side that I look at and think we’ve got a right chance against them at home.

“The further you go, the bigger that fixture becomes when you eventually get one of the big boys.”