Port Vale: Cup victory was big deal, says Bratt

PORT Vale chairman Bill Bratt says the club's FA Cup triumph at Stevenage was their biggest win of the season.

Vale have raked in £70,000 from their replayed first-round battle with the Blue Square Premier side.

Tuesday's 1-0 victory also earned Vale a third-round draw at home to League One Huddersfield on November 28 when £27,000 prize money will be at stake.

Bratt said: "It is the biggest win of the season, because we get prize money from getting through the first round.

"It also gives us a shot at getting into the third round, but we certainly won't be counting our chickens against Huddersfield."

The Valiants expect to make £18,000 profit from the combined gate receipts of Tuesday's match and the 1-1 draw at Vale Park in the original tie.

They also banked £18,000 prize money for getting through the first round, plus £33,750 because the replay was shown live on the Football Association website.

The club have made money available for manager Micky Adams to bring in a loan signing, but that will only be a fraction of the £70,000.

The Valiants are set to announce losses for the 2008/2009 season, which could match the £383,738 they lost the previous year.

Bratt said: "If the manager has players out and needs to bring someone in, then I am sure, with the way he has been able to work, we can work something out."

Adams says he is unlikely to pursue a defender on loan because Gareth Owen is on course to play at Barnet on Saturday with a face mask to protect the cheekbone he fractured.

The manager hasn't ruled out bringing in a striker on loan, following Jamie Guy's return to Colchester, but says he doesn't have a deal lined up.

He has skipper Tommy Fraser available after suspension, but says he was delighted with the way his team coped without the midfielder and Owen at Stevenage.

He said: "You always worry when two main players are out that no-one will pick up the baton, but we had some terrific performances."