ACCRINGTON Stanley captain Peter Cavanagh earned an England cap after playing 90 minutes for the semi-professional team against Belgium under 20s.

The England National XI drew 2-2 with the Belgium side at Darlington's Reynolds Arena and fullback Cavanagh was delighted to make his first international appearance.

"It was like a proper international match - it was a real tactical game," said 22-year-old, who lined up alongside fellow Conference players Dave Perkins of Morecambe, Shrewsbury's Luke Rodgers, who scored England's second, and Aldershot's Roscoe D'Sane.

"It was nice to be involved and get my shirt afterwards. The England cap comes later."

But Cavanagh, the first Stanley player to represent his country at that level since the squad was formed in 1979, hopes it was just the start of a successful few days for him and the Reds as they prepare to take on Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup first round on Sunday.

"With a bit of luck we can cause a bit of an upset on Sunday," he said.

"I expected to be a lot more nervous than I was playing for England but I thought I was good enough to be there.

"I'll probably be very nervous on Sunday."

Cavanagh is likely to lead Stanley out for their cup showdown on Sunday after completing a one-match ban last weekend.