WEALDSTONE have vowed to try and keep hold of their best players until the end of season so they can fulfil their dream of promotion to the Conference South.

Interest in Gordon Bartlett's talented squad is expected to intensify in the wake of an impressive FA Cup run, not to mention their imperious league form.

Football League scouts were present during Sunday's 3-2 first round defeat to Rotherham United and on Tuesday, Torquay United - promoted to League Two from the Conference last season - made an enquiry about Stones skipper Lee Chappell. Barnet are also rumoured to be interested in the under contract defender but he is expected to train with the Plainmoor outfit shortly so they can take a closer look at him.

Former Watford Academy duo Marvin McCoy and Kieron Forbes also caught the eye on Sunday, while Ryan Ashe reaffirmed he is arguably the best finisher at the club with two wonderful goals.

However, proud manager Gordon Bartlett, who has helped nurture Marvin Morgan, Jermaine Beckford, Graeme Montgomery and Carl Martin into Football League players, is determined to hold on to the club's current crown jewels and ensure they continue to play an integral part in a season full of promise. The Stones are well placed in the Ryman Premier League and are widely expected to reach the play-offs this time after so many near misses.

"That is the price of success," said Bartlett. "We're happy to give them the opportunity to use us as a stepping stone but I'd love to keep as many of them as possible until the end of the season. We've got a good group and it would take a good offer to tempt them away. All the lads are still here and are happy playing for the blue and white shirt and, until someone comes in and tries to prise them away, we will just get on with things and not worry about it."

Midfielder Ashe hopes the club would insist on any players moving on to a pro outfit in the near future being loaned back until the end of the season.

"I would be very surprised is some of our players were not picked up this season," he said. "About 75 per cent of the squad involved on Sunday could play at a higher level. If they were approached by a league club then they'd deserve it. You don't get to the first round of the FA Cup with bad players."

And what if a Football League club came knocking for Ashe's services? "I'd love a crack at playing at a higher level," he added. "I had a few Rotherham fans say to me in the bar after the game that they could do with having a player like me in their side, which was pleasing."

Danny Spendlove, who made a big impact as a second half substitute against the Millers, said: "We've got some very good, young players and it's only natural scouts will come here and check them out. But if the best players leave then it is not going to be the same team."