Workington Reds' Wembley trail ended at Stevenage - in the most cruel way possible. They were beaten 2-1 in their FA Trophy quarter-final after taking a 25th minute lead through Phil McLuckie.
The Trophy holders and Blue Square Premier high-fliers levelled on 55 minutes and scored the dramatic winner in the fourth minute of the seven which were added on at the end.
"It was a battle because they were a big, physical side and we were on the back foot for a long time but for the effort our players put in against full-time opposition away from home I thought we deserved to get them back to Borough Park," said Reds chairman Humphrey Dobie.
Now Reds can concentrate on improving their mid-table Blue Square North position in what is sure to be a hectic finale to the season. They have 16 games to fit into March and April.
But the club can also look forward to a brighter future after unveiling plans to build a £1.5 million stand at Borough Park which would be up to Conference League standard - and beyond.
The Reds have launched a 2013 Fund - as that's the date they hope to start work on the ground improvements, which will be dominated by the two tier stand to be built on similar lines to the one at Blue Square North rivals Hinckley.
The arrival of a new commercial manager in Les Smallwood - a former Workington Town rugby league director - has already seen an up-turn in Reds' sponsorship and lottery activities.
His first task was to revive the club's existing Supporters Club draw which has been re-branded as Simply Reds and already from an old membership of 700 has almost reached the 1,000 mark.
New floodlights will be installed at the ground in June and a new ladies toilet block is planned for next season.
Chairman Dobie said: "These are particularly good times to be a Reds supporter. We have had that wonderful run in the FA Trophy and have exciting plans for the ground.
"These are not pie in the sky ambitions. The new stand will happen as I'm confident we are going to raise the money we need, which in turn will unlock other sources to fund the project.
"The second tier of the stand will be adaptable for functions so that we can generate our own money for the club through dinners, parties and conferences. That is going to be a major step forward."
FIXTURES
March 2010
Tue 23rd (a) Harrogate Town
Sat 27th (a) Hinckley United
Tue 30th (a) Ilkeston Town
April 2010
Sat 3rd (a) Northwich Victoria
Mon 5th (h) Fleetwood Town
Sat 10th (h) AFC Telford United
Tue 13th (h) Hyde United
Sat 17th (a) Solihull Moors
Mon 19th (a) Hyde United
Sat 24th (h) Stafford Rangers
