RAMSBOTTOM have just had a huge boost to the club's coffers - but boss Mike Kelly won't be spending the money on new players.

The Rams earned £7,500 for defeating Ashington in the FA Cup first qualifying round and will now face UniBond Premier side Whitby in the next round a week on Saturday, hoping to put another £7,500 in their kitty under the new FA Cup award scheme.

"It is massive money for us," said Kelly. "It was the biggest game in terms of finances that the club has ever been involved in. £7,500 for one game is huge. It will go a long, long way.

"It will probably be spent on ground improvements but if we get through the next round we might spend that on the team. Maybe!"

The Rams have had an indifferent start to their NWCL Division One campaign after finishing third last season.

But Kelly is hoping the cup win could be the turning point of their season as they take on leaders Salford City at the Riverside tonight.

"We have been conceding a lot of goals but hopefully we have turned the corner, this is what we have to see.

"So what better test could we have than the top of the league?"

Ramsbottom have conceded 13 goals in their last three league games and so Kelly tightened up his defence for the Ashington match.

"To be honest, I took a gamble. Dave Roach is still struggling with a knee injury from last season but I asked him for 60 minutes to give steel in midfield and he bust a gut for an hour.

"I brought Keith Neild back in goal and both Mark Thomas and Warren Brierley, back from a year out with injury, strengthened the backline.

"And Dave Yorke-Robinson played up front with Russell Brierley which meant Russell could get into the box as up to this stage he has had to do a lot of the hard work around the box. Dave took this over."

Brierley scored a hat-trick and the Rams boss had hoped to keep this winning formula tonight but can't as Thomas and Warren Brierley both have work commitments.

"This gives the others a chance to come in and fight for their place. It might have been a kick up the backside some needed being left out on Saturday and now they have a chance to respond."

Meanwhile, striker Chris Denham has decided to stay at NWCL Division Two table toppers Stand Athletic.

Ramsbottom had put seven days on the teenage frontman but he has decided to stay at Ewood Bridge.

"We understand that. He felt the step up now might be a bit too much and he could be in our division with Stand next season anyway," added Kelly.

Elsewhere, in the UniBond First Division, leaders Rossendale have the long trip to Gretna aiming to build on their unbeaten start to the season.

Jim McCluskie's men have won seven of their nine games and drawn the other two.

They also picked up a healthy £7,500 after defeating Guisborough Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday and will travel to Bradford side Thackley in the next stage.

But first, it's the league, and Dale will be hot favourites to get one over on Gretna who lie third from bottom and haven't won in the league this season.

In NWCL Division Two, leaders Stand are at home to Bootle, there is a local derby at West View when Bacup take on Padiham, Darwen are at home to early pacesetters Formby while Nelson will aim to get back to winning ways after a shock 5-0 loss to Daisy Hill when they travel to Oldham Town.