Nigel Clough believes there should be greater financial rewards on offer for lower league sides who make it to the FA Cup fifth round.

The veteran manager will take his Mansfield Town side into their first fifth round tie since February 1975 when they host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

Stags face a mammoth task against the 14-time winners of the world-famous competition knowing their fate will now be decided on the day.

And that lack of a potential lucrative replay is something which still disappoints Clough, who famously guided non-league Burton to a money-spinning replay against Manchester United after a third round draw back in 2006.

Nigel Clough and his players applaud the travelling fans after the win at Burnley.

placeholder image — Nigel Clough and his players applaud the travelling fans after the win at Burnley.

“That is still the inspiration for us 20 years on,” he said. “The club had just moved to the new stadium and there was an overspend, so to get the draw against United was dreamland.

“It set Burton up for the next 20 years. You can’t underestimate the value of that replay, that’s why we were a little upset about replays not being there for lower league clubs. You might fluke a 0-0 after 90 minutes, as we did at Burton, and then you get a huge financial reward.

“As much as it is an extra game for everybody, the magnitude of that game can make a huge difference to a club’s future. For that reason I wish there were still replays available.

“Even the prize money if you lose in the fifth round is stopped. I suppose they don’t expect too many lower league clubs to get to this point, but there should be more of a reward there in terms of a potential replay or a split of the prize money.

“Anything you can get financially helps clubs like ourselves. The money we have made from the cup run so far will help us going into next season, anything we can get from Saturday helps us to secure contracts for next season.”

This season’s competition has thrown up it’s fair share of stunning upsets, with the win for National League North side Macclesfield over holders Crystal Palace the pick of the crop.

And it is headline-grabbers such as that which still leave Clough, who played in Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup final defeat to Spurs in 1991, believing in the magic of the FA Cup.

“Shocks are still possible,” he said. “Macclesfield’s exploits this season have reawakened everyone to the possibilities of the FA Cup.

“Who would ever have said a National League North side could knock out the holders. In no other county would it happen, but such is the strength of the Football League and the leagues below it. That is why the FA Cup has to be protected.

“The players know they may never be in this position ever again. Mansfeld may never play Arsenal again while we are alive, so without thinking about it everyone raises their game a little bit.

“We have got very little chance, but whatever chance, however small it is, we can’t waste it. We have to give it a go.”

Get all the build up to Stags v Arsenal, here.