CLITHEROE player-manager Lee Sculpher has challenged his strikers to start taking their chances as they reach the business end of the season.

And there will be no better time to do it than in tomorrow's North West Counties Division One derby at Ramsbottom United.

Despite netting 52 league goals in 23 league matches this season, the Blues boss still feels they have been wasteful in front of goal in recent games.

He said: "It is all very well when you create plenty of chances but when the day comes that only a few fall our way we have to make sure we take them.

"We have been working hard on that in training and hopefully that hard work will come to the fore now."

Clitheroe go into the Christmas period just five points behind leaders Mossley with a game in hand and Sculpher knows this is when points mean prizes.

He said: "For the last 23 games we have been trying to get into a position where we can make a push.

"Now we are getting to the business end where every point matters.

"We have played most of the top sides already so now we have to be careful we do not drop points against the sides from lower in the table."

The Blues boss believes tomorrow's derby will be a match won by the team who take their chances better.

He added: "I imagine it will be a game of very few chances. Local derbies are always very competitive and great to play in, if not always the best to watch.

"Ramsbottom have been going well recently and they will be looking to knock us off our perch."

Ramsbottom chief Vince Overson feels his players owe him a good performance against the Blues.

They were outplayed as they crashed out of the FA Vase in the third round at Gedling Town last weekend.

Overson said: "The lads have a point to prove against Clitheroe. We had a chat about the Vase game and they all know they let themselves down.

"This is the perfect match to bounce back in because if you cannot lift yourself to play a side like Clitheroe you do not deserve to be playing.

"There will be a decent crowd and the atmosphere will be great. But if we do not give 100% effort on the pitch we will come away with nothing."

United's Luke Hardman missed the Vase exit but could return against Clitheroe after a calf injury.

Overson said: "He might be fit. He has been getting treatment from the physio all week so we are just waiting to see how his calf reacts."

Meanwhile, Sculpher was delighted to see Lee Cryer back in a Clitheroe shirt after a spell at Rossendale United and he netted the opener in a 5-1 home win over St Helens Town last weekend.

The manager said: "Lee has been our top scorer for the last three seasons so to have him back is a massive boost.

"He looked very dangerous up front with Glyn Barker and I am sure they will form a good partnership."

Clitheroe midfielder Barrie Hart is definitely unavailable at the weekend and Adam Gardner is also rated "very doubtful" with a thigh strain.

Striker Neil Spencer and midfielders Chris Whittingham and Glen Ainsworth also miss the clash through suspension, but winger John-Paul Fagan could return after a twisted ankle.