YORK City midfielder James Berrett knows the value of home comforts in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international was a member of the Carlisle team that won the competition in 2011 having been handed ties on their own turf in every round.

Port Vale were seen off in a penalty shoot-out at Brunton Park before Crewe (3-1), Sheffield Wednesday (3-1) and Huddersfield (4-0) were also sent packing from Cumbria.

Despite a 3-0 Northern Area final second-leg defeat at Huddersfield, Carlisle went on to take their place in a Wembley final that saw Berrett's corner set up Peter Murphy's goal in a 1-0 triumph over Brentford.

Bootham Crescent, meanwhile, has already witnessed two knockout victories over Sky Bet League One teams this season with Tuesday's JPT visitors Doncaster suffering the same fate as August Capital One Cup opponents Bradford.

It is unsurprising, therefore, that Berrett's only preference ahead of today's Northern Area quarter-final draw on Sky Sports' Soccer AM is for a home tie.

Morecambe are the only other League Two side left in City's section, joining Rochdale, Wigan, Blackpool, Sheffield United, Fleetwood, Bradford and Barnsley in the hat with the latter two still to play their postponed second-round tie and, despite the difficult environment created by chants for manager Russ Wilcox's dismissal in recent league games at Bootham Crescent, Berrett reckons the 83-year-old arena has played an important role in the team's cup progress.

"It is an advantage playing in front of your own fans on your own pitch where you know the surroundings a bit more," Berrett reasoned. "It helps 100 per cent and, hopefully, we can get another home draw.

"We've played two League One sides this season and put in decent performances at home against good teams with good players so, hopefully, we can continue that. Winning games breeds confidence and creates a positive atmosphere around the clubs, changing rooms and fans.

"Cup victories also give everybody something to look forward to and it can help you in the league too."

Having given him his first and only taste of the redeveloped Wembley stadium at 22, Berrett also declared his high regard for the oft-maligned JPT.

"The games are like any - you want to win them - but you're also counting down to Wembley at the same time," The Press Player of the Year leader explained. "I've won the final so I've seen that side of the competition too and I always look forward to it and treat it with respect.

"It's a day out for friends and family and a chance to play on the pitch and win a trophy. Now we're in the Northern Area quarter-finals, the excitement and anticipation will go up another level again.

"You don't get many chances to get to Wembley in what's a short career, so every opportunity you get, you've got to try and take it and I always look to do that."

Back in 2011, Murphy's 12th-minute goal secured victory for Carlisle in front of more than 40,000 fans under the famous arch - 14,000 from Cumbria - with Berrett lining up against future City midfielder Adam Reed, who was playing for Brentford.

On his memories of the day, the Minstermen's current joint-top scorer reminisced: "Winning is the biggest memory but I also remember the size of it all.

"You're playing on a good pitch in a top-drawer stadium and, whilst I went to the old ground, it's the only time I've ever been to the new one, so it was a special day. It was nice to set the goal up for Peter Murphy in front of all our fans and there was a good turnout from Brentford as well."

Berrett also admitted that reaching the final at the expense of home-town club Huddersfield, who he had left nine months earlier, made the whole experience even sweeter.

"That was special because I lived in Huddersfield, was raised there and played there so, to go back and beat them over two legs, was another good thing even if we were hanging on for the last ten minutes when we went there," he confessed.

City chief Wilcox, meanwhile, decided against resting Berrett in midweek despite The Press' September Player of the Month being one caution away from a suspension should he receive another yellow card before the end of November.

If he is still in the same situation, Berrett will also be in no mood to sit out the next round during the week commencing November 9.

"I hope the manager will feel the same - 100 per cent - because I want to play as many games as I can," he explained. "But I won't be trying not to get booked whilst I'm out there.

"I don't want to pull out if there's a tackle there to be won and, if I get booked, it's just one of those things."

Following the area quarter-final, regional semi-final ties will be played in the week commencing December 7, the two-legged area final during he weeks commencing January 10 and 25 and the final on April 3.