THE sense of jubilation was palpable in a seaside resort better known for its beaches, amusement arcades and the production of oven-ready chips, rather than its footballing prowess.

But the people of Scarborough were in buoyant mood yesterday as the town's Conference side created more than a little FA Cup romance by beating Third Division Southend 1-0 at the McCain Stadium.

They now face Premiership millionaires Chelsea in the next round - a draw which has created a sense of pride and a real buzz in the North Yorkshire resort.

That feeling was reflected among the near 5,000 fans who packed into the stadium for Tuesday night's match.

When the final whistle blew, stewards could do little to prevent supporters running on to the pitch in frenzied celebration - hailing the hero of the hour, goalscorer Mark Quayle.

The cry of "Bring on Chelsea" went up.

The financial rewards of such a prestigious home tie cannot be understated.

But it is also the stuff of dreams. The eyes of the nation will be on the 'Seadogs' who know that a victory, however unlikely, would be the making of footballing legend.

Around the resort yesterday, most were happy to bask in the limelight, for now.

Lifelong fan Ian Hardie is already using the three bakeries he owns in the town centre to back the side.

For the club's red and white colours are being reproduced on cakes to mark the achievement.

"It's fantastic for the club but great for the whole town as well," he said.

"Everyone is excited and everywhere is buzzing now. I think we got three hours work done in half an hour today.

"Perhaps everyone can forget their worries for a little while and enjoy being part of the Scarborough story."

Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds said: "Moments like that are why you plough so much of your time and effort into football. What other sport could project us from being nobodies to heroes in just 90 minutes? It's been an emotional roller-coaster, but all I can feel at the moment is an immense sense of pride."

The home game against Chelsea on Saturday week will be televised on Sky Sports and, with other spin-offs taken into account, the club should net an estimated £350,000.

"We've never been thieves but we have been beggars before," said associate director Rod Robinson

"Maybe we've seen the end of those days - we are certainly due a bit of good luck".

Goal hero Quayle is well aware of the fans' expectations and is trying to play down the growing fervour.

"We have to treat it exactly as we will for the home game against Woking this weekend," he said.

"Yes, it is Chelsea, but I'll be trying to see them simply as other players in blue shirts."

It's unlikely that Scarborough fans, who will pack the McCain Stadium for the match in eight days time - will take the same view.