ACCRINGTON are out to finally end their Nelson hoodoo when the two sides clash at Thorneyholme Road tomorrow.

Nelson have had much the better of recent meetings between the sides including earlier in the season when Accrington were comfortably beaten during what was a poor start by Graeme Sneddon’s men.

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But Accrington have recovered to rise to sixth in the table and they still have eyes on a top four finish, while they will hope that Nelson have one eye on tomorrow’s Worsley Cup final.

“We have not done too well against Nelson recently,” said Accrington bowler Jimmy Hayhurst. “They are a bit of a bogey team for us. “But we are playing well at the moment and are on a good run so hopefully that continue.

“We still think we can get in the top four and get a place in the Lancashire Knockout for next season. That is the aim now.

“Everyone is beating each other at the moment so if you can put a good run together towards the end of the season then you will soon climb the table.”

And Hayhurst also believes Accrington have found a star of the future in 20-year-old Jake Clarke who made his maiden Lancashire League 50 in last weekend’s win over Bacup as well as taking two wickets with the ball.

Clarke’s latest knock saw him pass 200 runs for the season while he also has 29 wickets, second only to Ockert Erasmus at Accrington this year.

“He is a really good cricketer,” said Hayhurst of his team-mate.

“He batted very well last week and is certainly one for the future.

“He is an all-rounder really. He likes to say he is a batter but he took two wickets last weekend and is a good bowler as well.

“He bowls medium pace and is hopefully only going to get better.”

Elsewhere, Nelson’s opponents in tomorrow’s Worsley Cup final, league leaders Burnley, are away at East Lancs.

Ramsbottom will be hoping to take advantage of any slip-up by the long-time leaders but they face a testing trip to Rawtenstall while defending champions Lowerhouse, seemingly too far out of the title race in third, are at home to struggling Rishton who currently prop up the table..

Bacup will be looking to ensure they don’t drop back to the foot of the table when they visit Haslingden while Colne, another side at the wrong end of the table, host Enfield who begin the day in fourth place, 12 points off the top three.

The day’s other game sees Church entertain Todmorden.