Wins in the FA Cup and the Leasing.com Trophy, with £46,000 prize money along the way, have made for a profitable week for Port Vale.
So plenty of encouragement as they return to league action tomorrow at home to Carlisle looking to close the two-point gap to the play-off places, unbeaten in six and in search of a fourth successive victory.
The management have also been given food for thought after making eleven changes for the Trophy game at home to Newcastle when a 2-1 win sent the Vale through as group winners.
John Askey looks likely to revert to the team that started in the 1-0 FA Cup win at MK Dons last Saturday, but the management were encouraged by the performances of several of their fringe players in the Trophy.
Mark Cullen's two goals strengthened his case for a chance in the league side while the management were also delighted to see Tom Conlon get through an hour after two months out with a knee injury.
Assistant boss Dave Kevan said: "Tom has worked tirelessly to get himself fit and into a situation where he is able to go and have an hour's football. "He needs to get a few more minutes under his belt but he will feel better for having that hour or so.
"Tom is a massive player for us. He was a starter for us from the start of the season and we were disappointed we have lost him for the period we have, but thankfully now he's back with us and in contention again."
If Conlon doesn't feature tomorrow then he could still get more action when the reserves are away to West Brom on Tuesday lunchtime. The Vale haven't entered the Central League this season, but are in the League Cup, guaranteeing at least four games.
Jonny Maddison is more likely to be playing in the reserves than first team over the next few days but the summer free transfer signing can look back with satisfaction on his first-team debut as he was arguably only overshadowed by Cullen as Vale's best performer in the Newcastle game.
The 25 year old's opportunities in the first team are likely to be few and far between because he is behind reigning player of the season Scott Brown. But having impressed goalkeeper coach Ronnie Sinclair in training, he also made an impression on Askey and Kevan.
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Kevan said: "We were delighted with Jonny. He has had limited opportunities but Ronnie has said how well he goes about his work in training. I know Ronnie has been very pleased with him, certainly over the last month or so he felt he was making progress and Jonny can also be very pleased with himself and his performance.
"I don't think you get too many opportunities under Browny but I think he knew that when he came to the club. It was nice to get him an opportunity to get some first team football."
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