BIG money is up for grabs as a quartet of the area's teams re-tread the cash-laden FA Cup trail.

Harrogate Railway, unbeaten Selby Town, Pickering Town and Harrogate Town are all locked in first qualifying round duels tomorrow with the incentive of £7,500 awaiting the winners.

Under the most recent television agreement clubs get £7,500 for victories in both the first and second qualifying rounds. That increases to £10,000 for success in the third round and then £20,000 in the fourth round, the reward of which is also to be pitched into the first round proper and an even more lucrative clash with a Nationwide League club.

Such money incentives were lifelines to lower-status outfits, insisted Harrogate Railway manager Paul Marshall, who is steeling his men for the visit of North-west Counties League premier division side Winsford United to Station View.

Said Marshall: "This is a big game for us, as it is for all the clubs at this stage, because of the financial rewards.

"We already have won £1,000 for getting through the preliminary round, but a victory tomorrow would net another £7,500.

"Besides getting through to the next round that is major money to a club like ourselves. It's the sort of cash that can set you up for the season and it's about time that money has started to filter through to the smaller clubs."

Railway's major problem is converting the stack of chances they have been creating, as evidenced in midweek, where they lost 1-0 to Eccleshill, despite dominating.

"We need to start turning those chances into goals," said Marshall, who has beefed up his attack with the signing of Sal Njie from Knaresborough Town.

However, Marshall and the rest of the Railway crew would not be too bothered if they can repeat tomorrow last week's 3-2 downing of reigning Northern Counties East League premier division champions Brigg Town.

Steve Davey stepped off a plane in Manchester from Spain and was met by supporter Rob Gray at Leeds where he was ferried to Brigg, arriving in the second-half to take his place on the bench. He came on with 20 minutes to go and a struck a 90th-minute winner.

Recalled Marshall: "I'm glad we named him among our substitutes as I always believed he would get to the game in time."

Undefeated Selby Town go into their FA Cup tussle at home to UniBond League first division side Gretna Town also heartened by a healthy result over Brigg Town.

The Robins shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with the champions ahead of their cup duel. While the share-all blunted Selby's bid for seven straight wins to the start of the campaign, manager Bob Lyon revealed it was the first time he had prised a point away to their rivals in his four years in charge.

Lyon was hoping the long haul to be made by Gretna would take its toll. "It's a big advantage in this case to be at home due to the travelling involved. It's easier preparation for us and we have to make that count.

"I don't want to be having to go to Gretna on a Tuesday night for a replay."

His only injury doubt is central defender Richard Tomlinson, who suffered a groin strain against Brigg.

Having stuffed Shotton Comrades 5-1 in the last round Pickering Town are on the road again when they travel to Crook Town.

The Pikes have themselves yet to taste anything other than victory in their opening five games and a win over the north-easterners would further strengthen their growing reputation as Northern Counties East League premier division dark horses.

Manager Jimmy Reid is confident of at least forcing a replay and if his Pikes needed any further incentive they will be reminded that in the next round they can anticipate a home draw against UniBond League club Accrington Stanley.

"It's a massive tie for us and not just for the money, which is not the 'be all and end all'. We could have a tie against a UniBond premier team on our own ground which would be tremendous," said the Pikes' boss.

Fitness tests will be run on Adam Wash (ankle), Phil O'Reilly (shin) and striker Mark Wood, who is back in training after a month lay-off following an eye operation.

Home opposition in the second qualifying round is also the plum for buoyant Harrogate Town should they see off tomorrow's hosts Salford City.

With only Colin Hunter missing with a knee injury Town manager John Reed was optimistic of booking a place in the next round at home to Burscough, especially if his charges can repeat the midweek flattening of Farsley Celtic.

Crowed Reed: "That was easily the best performance since I have been at Harrogate. Their goalkeeper had an absolute blinder and if it hadn't have been for him we would won by far more than just 3-0.

"If we can play to that standard then I would expect us to get at least a draw at Salford tomorrow."

Updated: 12:22 Friday, September 14, 2001