WINSFORD United's squad may have to be cut back after they squandered an FA Cup cash bonanza last week.

A second qualifying round prize of £7,500, plus a trip to Liversedge, went begging when the Blues were humbled 4-1 at home to Harrogate Railway in last Tuesday's replay.

Chairman Mark Loveless was so disgusted with the performance he has now arranged a meeting with the players to discuss their, and the club's, future.

"The players need to be put in the picture about the way the club is going," said Loveless.

"There isn't a bottomless pit of money and we might have to trim the squad a bit. We'll see how things go when we have a discussion, but the FA Cup game didn't help at all.

"I think every now and then we have to have a chat with the players, they need to be aware of the situation at the club."

Loveless was frustrated enough that Winsford didn't put Harrogate Railway to the sword on their own ground in the first game the previous Saturday.

But as United created a myriad of chances and totally dominated before conceding a late penalty, the last thing anyone expected was a half-time deficit of 4-0 in the replay.

"After the first game on the Saturday, the players thought they were going to come out and stroll it," added Loveless.

"We were awful. Once we were 3-0 down in the first half hour the game was over, there was no coming back from that. It was very disappointing.

"The money would have been a real bonus for us, but it's not to be. When you're down, you seem to stay down."

The players meeting was due to take place this Thursday, but has been put back a week as Winsford have a match tonight (Wednesday) at Crewe Alexandra in the first round of the UniBond Cheshire Senior Cup.

Alex had a Division One match at leaders Burnley last night (Tuesday), so they are unlikely to field many first teamers against Winsford.

Loveless said: "It should be a good work-out for them and with it being a nice pitch we might be able to play a bit of football, rather than the long ball you have to play in the North West Counties League."

Winsford restored some battered pride on Saturday with a 3-0 home win over Congleton, which takes them into the top half of the first division table.

Assistant manager Kevin Langley is picking the team in the absence of Steve Shaughnessy, whose brother died last week.

Shaughnessy is in line to return to the fold on Saturday when Blues visit Flixton in the league (3pm).

On Tuesday, it's Congelton Town again for the Blues, this time away from home in the league (7.45pm).