REALITY returned for Snodland's teenage goalkeeper Paul Jones as his Exeter City team were finally defeated by Premiership heavyweights Manchester United in the FA Cup last night.

Millions watched on television as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney ended the non-league side's cup dreams.

But that fails to tell the story of a night that again showed what the FA Cup is all about. United were the better side, but the fact they could not settle the tie until the 87th minute is a tribute to the determination of the Exeter players and Jones in particular.

The 18-year-old can be proud of his performances, both in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on January 8 and in last night's replay at St James' Park.

It looked like United would run out comfortable winners after Ronaldo broke the Exeter off-side trap to slot the ball under the advancing Jones after just nine minutes.

But the Conference team dug in and although the visitors enjoyed the bulk of the possession, they were unable to find another breakthrough.

Jones was confident and commanding and produced a series of fine saves.

He denied England star Rooney with an excellent block in the first half and reacted superbly to tip a fierce Ronaldo shot round the post late on. In between he showed a decisive command of his penalty area and solid handling. He could do nothing about the second goal which killed off the tie at the death.

There's no doubt the youngster's displays over these two matches will have impressed people watching and it may serve as the catalyst for him to play at a higher level. On this evidence, he has a promising future.

Manchester United goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel was full of praise for Jones, a former pupil at Oakwood Park at Maidstone.

"Overall I thought the young keeper Paul Jones was magnificent," was Schmeichel's verdict. "He was very unlucky for the first goal and there was really nothing he could do for the second."

His colleague John Motson concurred, saying: "He's a young man who has considerably enhanced his reputation."

Paul's father Roger was still struggling to take it all in. "I haven't been to bed," he told the Kent Messenger this morning.

"I got back at half three. I was back at work at half five and now I'm stuck in a traffic jam on the M25."

His son's schedule was scarcely any less hectic. His father said: "After the game he did Sky Sports, the BBC and then the papers. In the end we only got about five minutes with him afterwards."

Paul's dedication to his profession extends to training on a rest day. "He was given the day off, but he's going in to do an hour by himself," added his father.