MUCH as Wrexham manager Denis Smith and his players want to concentrate on their still-active Second Division play-offs push, the club's well-publicised financial woes refuse to take a back seat.

The Racecourse boss yesterday expressed disappointment that his request for supporters' cash to help meet the cost of loan goalkeeper Mike Ingham's stay was turned down at a meeting on Saturday of the Wrexham Independent Supporters (WINS) group.

Since its inception over two years ago, WINS has backed Smith's team-strengthening moves through its "Beer-a-Week Fund", with members contributing an average of £10 per month to provide funds otherwise not available to the manager.

In a summary of the meeting - which was distributed to WINS members on Sunday - secretary Rob Griffiths said club chairman Mark Guterman had failed to give an assurance that the money for Ingham's wages could not be found from elsewhere within the club.

"Before releasing funds, WINS always confirms with the board that funding is not already available from within existing budgets," he said.

"Mark was unable to confirm that the club needed the money from WINS. This clearly put us in a dilemma - Denis requesting the money, but the request not endorsed by the chairman.

"As WINS members have contributed funds specifically for the purpose of funding players through the beer-a-week fund, we asked for the members present to vote on whether we should release funds at this time.

"The clear majority was against the release of funds. Some members present were unhappy with this, but we felt it important to be democratic.

"For complete clarity this does not mean that we have refused to fund Michael Ingham or any future play-ers. We simply need a message from the board that the money is genuinely needed and appreciated."

Smith, however, was less than convinced by the argument.

"I don't make these requests for WINS money unless I believe it to be absolutely necessary and that the club needs it," he said.

"Now I don't know where the money will come from, but I'll have to see whether any of the other supporters' groups can help.

"I'm only interested in what happens on the field and I don't want to get involved in anything between the chairman and the fans. But it's common sense surely that if the club has to come up with the money, it will simply put us deeper into debt.

"Their decision makes it very difficult for me to operate. I've got to be honest, if WINS doesn't provide the funds I think they should hand it back to the individuals who gave it in the first place.

"If they have turned me down - as seems to be the case - then I would ask what the money is there for?"

The club has announced reduced admission prices for tomorrow's FAW Premier Cup semi-final clash with Cardiff City (kick-off 7pm).

Admission for home fans is restricted to the Sainsbury Stand at a cost of £6 for adults and £4 concessions. Visiting fans will be accommodated in the Eric Roberts stand for the match, which is being shown live on television by competition sponsors BBC Wales.

When the two teams last met at the same stage of the competition two seasons ago, a second-string Cardiff side won through after penalties.

It was the only occasion in the competition's five-year history that Wrexham, the current holders of the trophy, have failed to reach the final, where prize money of £100,000 is up for grabs.