FAR from keeping the magic of the cup alive or drawing a Premier League club in the third round, Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens said the club’s primary motivation for staying in the FA Cup was simply money.

The chance to strengthen the squad further or permanently sign loan players was significantly reduced following Swindon’s midweek FA Cup exit to Cheltenham Town, according to Wellens.

Though his side are able to solely focus on the League Two campaign following their exit from all three extra-curricular competitions – a competition that Wellens labelled as the most important for his side to be successful in.

Nonetheless, a 1-0 defeat in the club’s FA Cup first round replay was no easier to swallow for Wellens, who watched his side dominate large portions of both ties before being denied a second-round spot by the right boot of Alex Addai on both occasions.

Wellens said: “We were not in the FA Cup to win it because we know that’s totally unrealistic.

“We were in the FA Cup to go as far as possible and to try and make as much money as a club.

“That will help us financially, and it allows us to strengthen the squad, which is the most important thing for the league.

“Over the two ties, we’ve been really, really good at their place, and pretty decent at home.

“In all the stats; possession, crosses, shots on target and penalty box entries, we won them all by a country mile.

“Unfortunately, the only one that really matters has gone against us.”

Wellens had to make do without star striker Eoin Doyle once again for the replay due to the Irishman being cup tied, and made no excuses about the result coming down to absentees.

However, with Jerry Yates up front on his own, Town were perhaps a body light in front of goal when chances were deflected out into a dangerous area.

Wellens dismissed claims luck had anything to do with a lack of following up from his team and has called on his players to be ready during the second phase of a chance.

He said: “We’re going to have those days – it’s just important that we bounce back against Mansfield on Saturday.

“We could have worked the goalkeeper on a couple more occasions (against Cheltenham). When he was called into action, he made a couple of good saves.

“There were two or three times where he does make the save, but he parries it out and it doesn’t land to us.

“People might say that’s unlucky, but if we’re on the front foot and moving into good positions, then you get an easy tap in.”