Wealdstone will be aiming to end a bitter-sweet week on a high with victory over Horsham on Saturday.

They built on a morale-boosting draw against high-flying Staines last weekend with a 1-0 triumph over AFC Hornchurch on Tuesday, four points which propelled them up to eighth in the Ryman Premier just six shy of the last remaining play-off spot.

However, manager Gordon Bartlett will be striving to keep them focussed for the end of season run-in after learning that his player budget for next season could be slashed dramatically unless the club can raise substantial funds, and fast.

Club chairman Howard Krais has exclusively releaved to the Harrow Observer that Wealdstone are facing up to a cash crisis after a six figure sum used to keep the club ticking over for the best part of 14 years has dried up.

The club will unveil a campaign later today (Thursday) in a bid to raise £40,000, which would be used solely as next season's player budget. Should the target be achieved Stones, providing the nucleus of the squad remains, are expected to mount a serious push for the play-offs next season. However, if the cash fails to materialise a campaign of struggle and upheaval surely beckons.

"I really want to keep this squad together and would be devastated if I was unable to do that," said the manager prior to Tuesday night's game. "If the play-offs prove to be a step too far this season I strongly believe we can build on that aim next season.

"Not only do I want to keep the squad together the players want to stay together — they are such a united bunch. They've got massive belief in themselves and one another as they proved again at Staines."

Bartlett, who declined to comment on the cash crisis ahead of holding crunch talks with Krais and the board of directors, has switched his attentions to the visit of Horsham to Grosvenor Vale on Saturday, the second of three consecutive home league games with Ashford Town the opponents next Tuesday evening.

"We're in a great position with seven games left and anything can happen," he added. "I've said two wins from the three home games would give us a shout and we've won the first one."

Of the seven league games remaining four at at the Vale — Horsham, Ashford, Dartford and Hastings United — while the three trips are to Maidstone United, Harrow Borough and champions-elect Dover Athletic. Of these teams only Andy Hessenthaler's runaway leaders and Dartford (7th) are above Stones in the table.