Manager Simon Grayson is convinced Leeds United is a club "ready to take off" and is urging his players to take great heart from their FA Cup heroics.

The club's FA Cup dreams were finally ended by Tottenham at Elland Road on Wednesday, but the manager firmly believes the FA Cup performances can act as a platform for greater things.

"We've been to Old Trafford and won there, we had a great performance at White Hart Lane and again on Wednesday against Tottenham," he said.

"The players have to take a lot from it, and the fans were outstanding as well.

"We just challenge the players to finish what we started now and get back to these crowds in the Championship.

"Our bread and butter is getting results at places like Hartlepool and Yeovil, and getting to the next level.

"The players can take a lot of heart and use it as inspiration to get better and better.

"I have a group of players who can play in the Championship and beyond.  A lot are young and they are only going to get better.

"The infrastructure here is ready to go and the fan base is there to take off so we have every incentive."

The FA Cup dream was ended by two second half goals from Spurs at Elland Road on Wednesday after Grayson's men had recovered from an early set-back.

Luciano Becchio cancelled out Jermain Defoe's opener, but the Tottenham striker scored twice in the second half to secure the visitors a 3-1 victory.

"We said before the game 'do yourselves justice and give the fans something to shout about' and they did that," said the boss.

"I thought we were outstanding. We tried to get an equaliser at 2-1, and put up a real fight.

"Tottenham are a great team and we've given them two great games.

"Casper made some good saves and in the first half we caused them problems with the way we passed it.

"It was a great response from the players and the fans and we got back into it.

"We gave it a go in the second and the players can be proud of themselves."