Workington Reds chairman John Mackay said it is a case of the more the merrier as he hopes for a bumper crowd to cheer the team into the next round of the FA Cup tonight.

Reds face a first qualifying round replay against Newcastle Benfield at Borough Park (7.45pm kick-off) after the two sides drew 1-1 in the north east on Saturday as Niall Cowperthwaite’s goal was cancelled out by Dale Pearson.

A win in tonight’s game would earn the club £6,000 so Mackay wants fans to turn out in force to roar the team on.

“Cup matches are always vital to smaller clubs and this is no exception,” Mackay said.

“This season, the cup money’s doubled so it’s important that more people turn up because it spurs the lads on to hopefully the next round and some prize-money, plus more gate money which is shared.

“The more the merrier, let’s get behind the lads and get us into the next round.

“We want to get through this round to hopefully get a draw with a big boy later on which is a big incentive for the club, players and fans.

“It’s one game at a time and making the most of every opportunity with the first step being to get past Newcastle.

“They’re not to be underestimated because they had some good players and they’ll be up for it wanting to turn us over.”

One positive from Saturday’s draw was the return of last season’s top scorer Scott Allison to the starting line-up after a hernia operation in the close season.

This season’s, in-form goal-getter Jason Walker is still suspended for tonight’s game but will be eligible to return at the weekend.

“Scotty had his first start back and we’ve got more lads to come back in,” Mackay added.

“That’s football; you can’t always have what you want when you want it.”

Joint manager Dave Hewson hopes to call on the same squad as Saturday for tonight’s game, although skipper Gari Rowntree is set to be assessed before kick-off.