Derby manager Paul Jewell believes an extended FA Cup run would instil some much-needed confidence into his relegation-threatened side.Jewell stopped some way short of suggesting progressing in the competition would help the rock-bottom Rams beat the drop from the Premier League, but nevertheless highlighted the positives from last night's third-round replay win over his former club Sheffield Wednesday.

Victory at Hillsborough was Jewell's first in charge of Derby and came courtesy of a heroic performance from goalkeeper Lewis Price during a tense penalty shoot-out.

Kenny Miller cancelled out Steve Watson's opener in normal time and Price showed great athleticism to deny Glenn Whelan and Kenny Lunt from the spot and set up a home tie against Preston in round four on Saturday.

Jewell is now hoping to beat another Championship side in a bid to lift the gloom at Pride Park and secure more respite from a faltering season.

"I think this season we knew it was going to be mightily difficult in the Premier League," said Jewell, who had an ill-fated eight-month spell at Wednesday between June 2000 and February 2001.

"We are not kidding ourselves. We are a million miles away from what I expect us to be.

"There's a lot of work to do at this football club and I knew that it was always going to be a monumental task and it's certainly proving to be that.

"But if we can make some progress in the FA Cup then maybe we can pick up some confidence, add a bit of enjoyment to the season and add a bit of belief.

"Hopefully a result like the win over Wednesday and the way it happened can maybe give us that. Maybe it can also give us a little bit more of an edge because we've conceded a lot of goals in injury-time in recent weeks and that's made us edgy and a bit soft.

"At least at Hillsborough we stood up to the task and showed a bit of bottle in the second half and during extra-time and I thought we finished the stronger team.

"Hopefully we can take this result through to the next round on Saturday."

Jewell is also hoping to give the club's fans something to finally shout about as the Rams, who have conceded 50 Premier League goals this season, bid to build on their second win of the campaign in all competitions.

"The supporters have had to endure some horrendous weekends and hopefully we can make this weekend a nice one for them by progressing," added Jewell.

"It won't be easy but if we play as well as we can do then we've got every chance."

Wednesday boss Brian Laws conceded the quality of Miller's finishing in both encounters was the difference between the sides.

The Scotland international was on target in the 2-2 draw at Pride Park over a fortnight ago and caused the Owls no end of problems at Hillsborough.

"You've got to take your chances," said Laws.

"That's why they've gone and spent something like £5million on Miller to get them a goal.

"He goes into areas where the centre halves don't want to be and he's caught us out again. But that's good play as well and you've got to give him credit."

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