BURY’S financial stability was given a massive boost this week following Tuesday night’s dramatic FA Cup penalty shootout victory at Bradford.

Jacob Mellis’s winning spot-kick guaranteed the Shakers £67,500 in prize money for making it to the fourth round, where they face another cash bonanza at home to Championship side Hull City.

The financial filip is timely, after it was revealed this week that Bury face a High Court hearing for a winding up petition, brought by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill for December totalling £156,000.

It is understood the club is looking to have the case, which is due to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on February 15, annulled following the payment of the bill.

The reason for the non-payment of the tax bill in December is believed to be a lack of cash-flow throughout the month, mainly caused by the abandonment of the Boxing Day fixture at home to Barnsley.

A club source has also said that in the last two-and-a-half years they have never been more than one month in arrears with HMRC and that they have already paid the January tax bill, which is not due for another week.

But it is clear Bury’s directors will welcome the estimated £500,000 the FA Cup run has brought into the club, following victories against local rivals Wigan and Rochdale in the opening two rounds, with the game at Spotland televised live on BT Sport.

“Everyone has told me all week it’s £70,000 prize money for getting through,” said manager David Flitcroft.

“With the Hull game, the TV game and two local derbies, and now this one (over two legs against Bradford), it could be nearly half a million quid.

“It’s massive for the football club. We knew how important the game was to pull the finances in.”

Meanwhile, Southend manager Phil Brown has spoken publicly this week about a phone call he had with the Bury boss regarding the return of David Worrall to Gigg Lane.

But Flitcroft was unhappy with the way Brown released the details of the conversation to the local press.

“I spoke to Phil Brown regarding David Worrall and he didn’t want to move him out. I do my business over the phone, I don’t do it in public,” said Flitcroft.