BACUP BOROUGH midfielder Lee Connell is a transfer target for Colwyn Bay.

The UniBond Division One club have put seven days' notice in for Connell, who was left out of Bacup's 1-0 win at Abbey Hey on Tuesday because boss Brent Peters is resigned to losing him.

"I don't want him to go but if they make him an offer I can't or won't match then it's inevitable he will go," said Peters.

"With this in mind I left him on the sidelines."

But Peters received a boost to his squad when Steve Stott came in to replace Connell for his first game in more than a month.

And the manager was delighted with his skipper's inspirational performance as Bacup went back to the top of North West Counties League Division One.

Peters said: "Steve did well and was organising things like he'd never been away.

"It was a good solid team performance on a difficult pitch. We only scored the one but on another day there will be more goals."

There's a tough test awaiting Bacup tomorrow, however, as they go to St Helens Town, a side that could actually overtake them at the top.

With three draws in a row RAMSBOTTOM UNITED are looking to go one better on Saturday when they take on Alsager - the only team to beat them in the league this season - at the Riverside.

"We're looking for a better performance than the last time we played them. We didn't deserve to get anything out of that game," said manager Derek Egan.

"It's disappointing to have drawn the last three games but strictly speaking, we should have taken seven points from our last three games so we'll be looking for a win tomorrow.

"We are a resilient side, hence the fact we've only been beaten once in all our league games.

"All the players have got qualities and strengths, it's just a matter of building on those and ironing out their weaknesses."

The Rams will be without Chris Skarratt and striker Ewan Purcell, who misses out with a knee injury but Bernard Morley is available again.

GREAT HARWOOD TOWN have signed former Bradford City midfielder Eddie O'Neill, who played for Accrington Stanley in pre-season.

Dave Sharples will be looking to continue his unbeaten run as manager of the bottom club at home to Maine Road tomorrow, following draws in his two previous games in charge.