MR MOTIVATOR Brent Peters is hoping his incentive techniques will inspire his defence to shut up shop when they take on high flying Curzon Ashton.

For the Bacup Borough boss rewarded his team for their recent hard work with a trip to a health club ahead of tomorrow's trip to National Park.

"I call it candy-dropping," said Peters, who saw his side hit six past Flixton last weekend in a nine-goal thriller.

"We've been invited to Esporta in Bolton so, instead of structured training, it's a night where the players can do what they like. If they want to go to the weights room, they can, or for a sauna or jacuzzi.

"They'd much prefer to do something like that than just go out running like some managers make their players do.

"We can't afford a lot in wages but we make up for it in other ways. We treat players right and that's why they want to come to play for Bacup Borough because they enjoy the environment they are playing in.

"But I expect them to work damned hard in return when they go out onto the football pitch."

And Peters hopes the defence, in particular, can step up a gear this weekend as the bid to climb the North West Counties First Division.

"Curzon work hard for one another and try to stop you from playing so it will be a physical battle," he said.

Peters was hoping Lee Anderson would be available following his suspension, but he was struggling with flu earlier in the week, while recent signing Paul Davies was also hoping to be involved after being cup tied last week.

Sean Cryer was battling to be in contention to boost the defence after being sidelined for five weeks with shin splints. However, he suffered a setback last week when he was jogging and was advised to rest by specialists.