CRAWLEY directors are allowing manager Billy Smith to remain over budget for a month.

The Reds boss re-signed midfielder Mark Hawthorne last week from Slough for an undisclosed four-figure fee. Scott Mean was added to the squad seven days earlier and Smith is over budget on wages.

Even the release of Rod McAree to Worthing this week leaves Smith needing to trim the squad to the maximum-allowed 19 by losing another player.

But managing director Steve Duly said the board were happy to let Smith break the wage structure for a short period.

He said: "We're top of the table and want to stay there. Obviously we don't want to throw good money after bad, but with the new players in place Billy needs to see which men in his squad are going to gel best.

"Billy has been given the go-ahead to stay as he is and we'll see how it goes. We're keeping a sharp eye on the budget, because it's a tight ship we run here.

Rise "If attendance figures rise, and there's a trend suggesting they'll remain higher, then Billy will be given extra funds. We've said all along that if we're among the leaders at Christmas, money will be made available to add new players and increase the squad size.

"We're aware that this league is difficult to win and if you're in a challenging position then you have to go for it. We calculated that by putting some money into the squad budget this season, we'd get higher gates and possibly challenge. So far that calculation has been accurate."

The addition of Mean and Hawthorne gives Smith two ball players in midfield, somethings that had been lacking this season.

Smith said: "Mark is a great player. He lives in Horsham and was finding the travelling to Slough difficult. I'm delighted he decided to get in touch with me. He'll be a vital player for us."

Striker Mark Hynes, meanwhile, has thanked Smith and his team-mates for helping him get through a personal crisis.

The striker's girlfriend gave birth to a baby daughter prematurely and he has also been the victim of boo boys at the Broadfield Stadium in the the past month.

He was given a break by the club to spend time with his girlfriend and the baby.

Hynes returned as a second-half substitute in the FA Trophy match against Heybridge Swifts on Saturday and struck a late winner.

He said: "It has been a bad month for me and the club have been so good. They've sent us flowers and chocolates and given me time off. My only way of paying them back is to do the business on the pitch."

Midfielder Danny Caroll (groin) is sidelined for tomorrow's home match with Stafford Rangers, but defender Andy Riley returns.