Crawley today revealed how fans can help the club continue their promising start to the season.

Managing director Steve Duly promised that funds generated by bigger crowds will go straight to manager Francis Vines to strengthen his squad.

Crawley have averaged gates of 2,228 from the first six home games, the sixth highest in the Conference and an increase of 900 on last season.

The figure is significantly lower than the 3,000 Duly estimated would be needed to break-even before the campaign started.

But he insists that does not mean profits from bigger crowds will be swallowed up with the running costs of the clubs.

He said: "The original break-even figure was based on if we were to run the club purely on gate receipts, but there are other finances coming in from elsewhere.

"We are running at a sustainable loss, which we took into account at the start of the season, but that is not really variable. If we had 500 people turn up or 5,000 the costs would be more or less the same, apart from the extra stewards needed.

"That means the more people we get through the gate the more money can be made available for Francis to use with the team.

"So far attendances have been less than we anticipated. We have had a 70 per cent increase from last season, which is good, but that includes the increased number of away fans.

"I also believe you should look at populations. If the majority of our population came we would be able to sell out ten times over."

Duly, whose father John owns the club, is adamant that Reds will not over-spend this season. Crawley will be given a reminder of the consequences if they do when Northwich Victoria visit Broadfield Stadium tomorrow.

Vics are bottom on minus four points after having ten points deducted for going into administration.

Their crisis comes four months after Telford United dropped out of the Conference and went into liquidation.

Duly said: "We could run the club at a profit, but we would not be seventh in the table if we did. You need to spend money to be successful, but that doesn't mean we will do what Northwich or Telford did.

"We have a responsibility to keep the club solvent for the future. We are doing that, so it then boils down to the supporters. If the people of Crawley want to keep doing well then they have to come out and support us."

Former Northwich defender Sean Hankin will be walking a disciplinary tightrope after picking up his fourth booking of the season against Farnborough on Tuesday.

Another caution will mean an automatic one-match suspension. Ben Judge (foot) is a doubt.