FANS turned out in their droves to support Radcliffe Borough – two days after the club's stadium was targeted by arsonists.

The biggest crowd of the season – 294 – watched "The Boro" beat West Didsbury and Chorlton in the Lancashire Challenge Cup.

A police investigation is now underway into the blaze which broke out in the main stand on Sunday night at 7.30pm. The fire destroyed the press box, where it it thought to have started, before spreading to the PA system room and to the outdoor seating area in the main stand.

Officials worked around the clock to ensure Tuesday's game could go ahead, with members of the club's academy helping in the clear-up operation.

There has been an outpouring of support since the blaze for the non-league side from other football clubs and offers of help from the local community.

A Justgiving Page has been set up to raise £5,000 to help the club.

Club officials said they were saddened and upset by what had happened, but said it made them even more determined to continue building the club for the community.

Chairman Paul Hilton, was on site until 1am on Monday and was back at the ground just hours later.

He said: "We had a fantastic turnout at the match, people really got behind us which is what we asked for, it was overwhelming."

Mr Hilton added: "I was just gutted when I heard what had happened, especially because of the work we do in the community and this is a club for the community. This is what makes it so upsetting.

"We have had problems with vandalism and it has escalated.

"People have broken into the press box three times, once they just broke in, then they caused a mess and smashed in the walls and now this.

"I actually saw two lads and a girl climb over the wall, and they ran away as soon as they saw me.

"The police are aware of the vandalism and the club is in the community so if anyone sees anything suspicious please contact the police’s 101 number or the club.

"One of the houses overlooking the ground called the fire service."

Mr Hilton praised the quick response of the fire service and the response from the community.

He said: "It restores the sense of community and shows the vast majority of people are respectful and supportive, we had a fantastic response. It makes us even more determined to continue doing what we are doing and improving the ground.

"We want to move forward and get back to playing football."

The club is now discussing how to improve security even further, which could include installing CCTV.

Pete Lofthouse, community trust officer and operations manager, said: "We have had people contacting us to see how they can help, parents whose children came here. We have had so much support."

Steve Urmston, Watch manager at Bury Fire Station, said: " The fire was fully developed as we arrived. We were on the scene for one-and-a-half-hours and the police were also requested."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: " It is being treated as arson. Anyone with any information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 2056 of 4th December 2016."