Crawley boss Francis Vines says he might have to break the bank to keep up with big-spending Weymouth as the race for the premier division title hots up.

The Reds had a five-figure bid for an unnamed striker rejected this week but Vines wants to increase the offer.

Weymouth are five points ahead of Crawley and favourites to clinch the title with the financial backing of player-manager Steve Claridge, chairman Ian Ridley and part-owner Tony Adams, the Wycombe manager and former Arsenal skipper.

All three have pumped in their own cash and the squad is packed with players with League experience like Martin Barlow, Paul Buckle, Scott Partridge and Lee Philpott. Former Albion utility player Shaun Wilkinson is also expected to sign from Havant next week.

Vines said: "If we do win the league we will have done it against the odds because Weymouth have the biggest budget by a long way.

"But as we have seen with Chelsea this season, money does not necessarily ensure success and even though Weymouth have spent a lot, I don't think they are head and shoulders above anyone else in our league.

"The nucleus of my side has been the same throughout the season. They are the ones that have got us in a position to challenge for the title so we don't need to bring in too many new faces.

"We just need to strengthen in one or two places to give us the best possible opportunity of winning the league and therefore I will be stretching the budget as far as it will go.

"We have already had a substantial bid for the player I want turned down this week but I am hoping we might be able to go back with an improved offer next week."

Joff Vansittart is set to start his first game against Weston-super-Mare on Saturday since breaking a leg at the end of November.

Eastbourne Borough have made a seven-day approach for former Albion midfielder Stuart Myall.