CLITHEROE manager Dave Burgess will have pound signs before his eyes if his side reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup as they did last season.

It is only the extra preliminary round of the prestigious competition with Clitheroe welcoming North East Counties Second Division side Rossington Main to Shawbridge tomorrow. But if the Blues can emulate what they did last term -- where they were beaten 2-1 by UniBond side Hyde -- they will be in the money.

"We would get £10,000 for going as far as we did so that would be such a huge boost," said boss Dave Burgess, whose side would receive £7,500 for getting through to the first qualifying round.

"It means so much more to every side at this level now because of the finances."

Money apart, the Clitheroe boss is also demanding an improved performance after a relatively poor start to their NWCL Division One campaign.

After finishing runners-up last season, a lot was expected and although Burgess isn't worried after a loss and a draw, he knows they need to get a win under their belts.

"We just haven't been performing to the level I know we can play. I don't know why that is. Perhaps other teams are now raising their game because of where we finished last season.

"But we have the same squad and, if anything, we have improved it so we should be able to cope.

"We need a win for ourselves. If there are any positives they are that it can't get much worse."

Clitheroe do have something of an injury crisis although Burgess feels his squad should be able to cope with it.

Andy Cowking, Jason Jones, Martin Aspinall and Stuart Todhunter are all struggling with injuries while Neil Spencer has been called away for work.

"But that gives others a chance to come in, get a win and show they deserve a regular place," added Burgess.