DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes is desperate for his side to break their derby duck when Colne visit the Anchor Ground tonight.

Wilkes is bemoaning the fact that, in the past few seasons, every time they face one of their local rivals Darwen seem to blow it.

"We haven't beaten Nelson for a couple of years, Bacup for a couple of seasons and Padiham for three seasons," said the Darwen chief.

"Against Colne last season we lost one and drew one, we just can't seem to do it in derbies. Hopefully that will all end this season."

It showed no signs of abating when they tackled Padiham last week and lost 2-0.

"We are playing well, we just can't score and we just need that little bit of luck.

"I know people say you make your own luck but things just don't seem to be going for us."

Wilkes is one of the admirers of Colne boss John Lister.

The young manager has changed the Holt House side from a bottom of the table NWCL Division Two side to a top half of the table team.

"A couple of seasons ago they were the whipping boys of the league," admitted Wilkes.

"John Lister has come in and done well. He has got a good bunch of kids and brought them on."

Colne, however, have their own problems. They suffered a 7-0 drubbing by Ashington in the FA Cup on Saturday and, already struggling with injuries, they lost the new player-chairman James Webster and Andy Ramskill to the treatment room.

But Darwen will also have to swap it around after one win and three losses so far this season.

Wilkes is unsure when influential defender Andy Walsh will come back into the side after missing the start of the season because of a bereavement.

Scott Derbyshire and David Rhodes are definitely out tonight while Matt Anderton and Jimmy Khan return after suspension.

But the one major omission is the league's top scorer for the last couple of seasons Paul Baker.

The striker was sent off last season for foul and abusive language and now has a 35 day punishment which started last week.

"The league keep saying they will change the system and I think they should. If he'd got three league games it would be over now but he will miss five weeks which is frustrating for us.

"I don't condone what he did but I think it needs to change."

Wilkes's side are already struggling to find their scoring boots and he knows Baker's spell on the sidelines is a big worry.

"We should have got seven points from the nine and only having three is disappointing.

"We are not scoring goals and giving silly goals away at the other end.

"I have brought Andy Smith in who has spent two years in America and hopefully he score one or two for us.

"But I am pleased with the way we have started - I just need that luck!"

Elsewhere in the UniBond First Division, Rossendale have a huge game at Dark Lane against title challengers Leek Town.

Jim McCluskie will be desperate that his side to bounce back following a 1-0 defeat to Ossett Albion in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday - a team who were relegated from the UniBond League last season.

In the NWCL Division One, Clitheroe are at home to Winsford while Ramsbottom welcome Atherton LR to the Riverside.

In Division Two, Nelson, with two wins out of two league games, are at home to Blackpool Mechanics while Bacup, with the same unbeaten record, make the trip to Holker Old Boys.