BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters has revealed his frustration at failing to land Karl Marginson.

Peters made him a target last week and all the signs indicated he was ready to move from West View. However, Marginson instead opted to sign for Flixton as a favour to a friend.

"At first he said he didn't want to play until after Christmas because work commitments meant he wouldn't be available for every game up to then," Peters explained.

"Then he said he would like to help his mate out at Flixton, then sign for us after Christmas.

"But that's no good for us because if we don't get the players we want before Christmas we could be out of the title race. And I can't have players coming here as and when they feel like it.

"So we will have to look elsewhere. It's his loss."

Peters will have to pick his side up after their 5-1 defeat at Southport in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy on Tuesday night for tomorrow's trip to Trafford.

However, Bacup have benefited from their break from league fixtures after last weekend's scheduled home game against Abbey Hey.

The extra time allowed central defender Ian Hughes to recover from injury.

"He's been out for three weeks but he has only missed one game because of the circumstances. So the postponements haven't been a problem in that respect," Peters said.

"From a financial point of view, though, it was a blow because I know a lot of people were coming to the ground to see David May's home debut.

"But when he does get round to making his home debut on December 1, if everything goes to plan he will have played more games and be more match fit and able to give a better account of himself as a result."

Lee Buggie is available for tomorrow's game but Pitchou Misi and Lee Matthews are struggling with injury.