FIVE local teams hit the road to county glory tonight as the quarter-finals of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy swing into action.

Chorley and Ramsbottom United go head-to-head at Victory Park in a big-hitting shoot-out for the last four while AFC Darwen and Bacup and Rossendale Borough also eye major upsets in the prestigious competition.

But the story of the night surrounds North West Counties League First Division high-flyers Nelson and their striker Richie Allen.

Allen will make an emotional return to AFC Fylde as he returns from suspension to line up for the Admirals against his old club.

Allen is a Fylde legend and the club’s all-time record goalscorer and a fans’ favourite thanks to his efforts in helping the Kellamergh Park outfit bounce up the leagues after their name change from Kirkham and Wesham as well as claiming the FA Vase at Wembley.

But all that will be forgotten tonight as he looks to fire his new club into the last four.

After being a spectator in the last three games for the Admirals, Allen is raring to go following a three-game ban.

And while Nelson have coped without him, winning all three games including Saturday’s 3-1 home win over 1874 Northwich, the return of the club’s leading scorer will be a boost to Mark Fell who is expected to name Allen in a forward line with Peter Wright.

Chorley will look to bounce back from the rare taste of defeat as they host Ramsbottom. The Magpies were beaten 2-1 by Barwell on Saturday to end their 13-game winning run and Garry Flitcroft wants his men to recover against a Rams side, who are in form in the Evo-Stik League First Division North.

North West Counties League First Division outfit AFC Darwen face a testing trip up the M6 as they head to face Evo-Stik League First Division North Kendal Town, whose games contain goals as Saturday’s 6-5 win over Mossley highlighted.

And Bacup and Rossendale Borough also travel to Evo-Stik League opposition as they head to Irongate to face Bamber Bridge.