Russell Slade's men enjoyed the intense national hype surrounding their titanic FA Cup tie against Chelsea . The Conference team covered themselves in glory with a battling 1-0 defeat and the manager hopes that his troops can now push on and reach the Conference play-offs at the end of this season.

Scarborough gave the Premiership big spenders a tough game at the McCain Stadium's 'Theatre of Chips'. And they were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Chelsea defender William Gallas appeared to handle the ball in the box.

But Slade was gracious in defeat and refused to moan about the controversial decision that denied his team a replay.

He said: "I thought we performed to the best of our ability. As a little club, we have handled the pressure enormously well. Around 100 million television viewers all over the world saw us play with a lot of credit.

"Chelsea got the early goal through John Terry but we had worked in training on how we would respond if they took the lead. And we battled back emphatically really. They created ample chances but we were still in the game until the very end. We had two great opportunities - a header from Colin Cryan which Cudicini saved and then the penalty that wasn't given.

"There is no mileage in complaining about decisions that go against you. But it was clear that every television, radio and newspaper pundit in the country knew it should have been a penalty as did all the television viewers. So I didn't have to do too much moaning about it anyway!

"My boys have learned a great deal from the game about their own capabilities. We are not saying that we could compete week-in, week-out with a Premier League side. That wouldn't happen. But in a one-off game, you saw that the gulf wasn't as great as some people might have thought it would be.

The Nationwide Conference has improved and become a stronger league. It is a genuine 'Fourth Division' now and it is no surprise to see Doncaster and Yeovil performing with immense credit in the Third Division this year after winning promotion."

The FA Cup put Scarborough firmly in the national spotlight. And the financial rewards and unprecedented publicity were greatly appreciated by the club.

Slade said: "The Cup run has been worth £600,000 to us. That money will allow us to plan and see where we can be in maybe 12 months time. It is a terrific monetary boost for us. We were in massive financial trouble not so long ago - days, maybe hours from extinction. But we managed to survive and what a difference a year makes!

"We welcomed all the FA Cup publicity too. We were humbled and grateful for the immense media attention. As a little club, we tried to handle it in the best possible way we could. And it led to a fantastic day for the town.

Normally, Scarborough is such a sleepy seaside place in the winter with hardly anybody around. But it came awake on Saturday and it is the first time I have seen it like that in the middle of January with so many people milling about!"

Scarborough currently lie 15th in the Conference table with games in hand on the clubs above them. Slade is hoping for a strong finish to the season.

"We've had a great FA Cup adventure and it is a platform for our football club to build on and move forward. We will have grown a lot from the whole experience. I hope we now have better players, better individuals and become collectively better.

"I have discussed it with the team. We need to use the performance against Chelsea as a catalyst to boost our league form. We want to see how many points we can finish the season with. Who knows? If things go our way rather than against us, then we just might nick a play-off slot."

Grassroots Round-up

Gresley Rovers' attempts to sign Stan Collymore are being hindered by the former Liverpool and Villa striker's media commitments. Gresley chairman Mark Evans said: "It wouldn't be fair on the rest of our squad to bring someone in who is not available for selection over a continuous period."

Conference strugglers Forest Green Rovers have confirmed the appointment of Tim Harris as manager until the end of the season. He will be assisted by former Irish international star Alan McLoughlin, who has been named as first team coach.

Ex-Southampton star Francis Benali is being linked with a move to Eastleigh of the Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Benali, 35, left the Saints after 22 years, having made 370 first team appearances.