NELSON boss Paul Fildes is aiming for bragging rights over his friend and rival Steve Cunningham on Tuesday night but admits he wants to see Colne go on to claim the North West Counties Premier Division title.

The Pendle rivals meet at Victoria Park with the Reds coming in off the back of reaching the Men United Cup final after a 2-0 win over AFC Blackpool on Saturday.

And although they sit third in the league, eight points adrift of Runcorn Linnets before they face second placed side Atherton Collieries on Monday, Cunningham's side have the title in their own hands thanks to their games in hand.

Fildes, who will be experiencing his first Pendle Clasico as a manager, has plenty of respect for his opposite number, but he wants to see his side bounce back after their 2-1 defeat at Ashton Athletic at the weekend.

"Saturday’s performance was awful, it was the worst I’ve seen as a manager," said the Blues boss.

"You do all that hard work and see a performance like that, if we play like that on Tuesday we’d get beat 7-0.

"But it could go the other way, it’s a kick up the backside and I’m hoping they’re going to bounce back from that, a lot of people owe something to myself and the club."

Fildes has been getting butterflies ahead of what he called a 'massive' game since Sunday morning and joked he had changed his mind about team selection 'six or seven times' already.

And while he is desperate for three points to start building momentum ahead of next season, he would be happy to see Colne lifting the league title come the end of this campaign.

"Atherton Collieries and Runcorn Linnets aren’t local to us. It’s nice to see a manager coming in, spending a few years at a club and turning a club like Colne around," he said.

"You go the ground and it’s been well looked after, it’s clean and tidy. Everything they’ve done is good.

"I hope he does win the league. And if he does I can get a few players off him as well!"

Elsewhere in the North West Counties Premier Division Padiham travel to AFC Blackpool needing a win to ease their relegation fears and Barnoldswick Town host Silsden.

In the Evo-Stik League Premier Division, struggling Ramsbottom United are at home to Nantwich Town while in the first division north Clitheroe will bid to keep up their play-off push when they host Witton Albion at Shawbridge.

Three points could move Simon Garner’s side into the top five.