CHELMSFORD City FC are relishing a money-spinning FA Cup trip to League One side Crawley Town after beating Colchester United in front of a record crowd on Saturday.
The Clarets beat the League One side 3-1 in front of a capacity 3,061 crowd, the club's largest gate since they moved to Melbourne six years ago.
The last time the Conference South club defeated a team from the Football League was in 1968, when they beat Oxford United 1-0 in the cup.
Coincidentally, Chelmsford City lost their next round match against Colchester United 2-0.
But after 44 years of hurt, the Clarets avenged their defeat and, in the process, secured a second round trip to League One high fliers Crawley Town.
Crawley Town hit the headlines in 2010/11 when they made their way to the fifth round of the FA Cup, before they eventually lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
"This is probably the best result we've ever had, and don't forget Colchester are a team three divisions above us," said club chairman Mansell Wallace.
The club automatically pocketed £18,000 for advancing to the second round and took in approximately £15,000 from gate receipts.
If the game against Crawley Town is televised then the club, currently sitting second in the Conference South, would be set for a further £75,000 windfall, boosting their promotion prospects.
And if the Clarets can scrape a draw against Crawley and bring the West Sussex side back to Essex, then the club could stand to make £140,000.
"It's massive for us, especially for a club with a budget like ours," added Mr Wallace. "It allows us to keep challenging for the league."
It means that club bosses can pay the £4,000-a-month debt on their stadium in Melbourne without having to trim their playing budget.
Chelmsford City historian David Selby, said Saturday's victory was "one of the biggest games ever" and "certainly the biggest since the move to Melbourne".
"The cup run has provided the club with significant additional funds and it's really welcome," he added.
