CLITHEROE manager Lee Sculpher was delighted to see his side climb to the top of the North West Counties League first division on Saturday but warned his players: "We are there to be shot at."

The Blues have won two and drawn one of their opening three games and are one point clear of Atherton LR.

They travel to Squires Gate tonight looking for a third consecutive victory.

It will be the first game for promoted Squires Gate since the tragic death of one of their players, which forced the cancellation of the last two games.

"It will be difficult for them," said Sculpher. "But they have just been promoted and they will be confident of building on what they achieved last season.

"It is great to be top of the league but it means we are there to be shot at. The league won't really start to take shape for another two or three weeks, once everyone has played 10 games or so.

"But we played quite well on Saturday at Woodley, probably the best performance so far, especially in the first 25 minutes.

"We created numerous chances and we always looked like we might get another goal.

"With Lee Cryer and Neil Spencer up front, they're always likely to score goals as Spenny proved, getting two.

"Tonight's game is the kind of match we have to win if we want to win the league."

Clitheroe's start to the season is in stark contrast to last year, when they picked up just one point in their first four games and had to play catch-up.

"The difference this year to last is the start we've made. It was a month before we got going then. This year we have started very well and it breeds confidence.

"We never really did recover from the start last year. We went on an eight-game run but that was only to put us back in contention."

Clitheroe, who finished fifth last year and second the year before, are desperate to get promoted into the UniBond League but know they have to win the league to be sure of going up. Only one team is promoted from the North West Counties.

"A couple of wins in the first week has put us right up there and that is where we are aiming to stay," said Sculpher.

Also in action tonight from the NWCL first division are Ramsbottom, who travel to St Helens.

In the second division, Nelson travel to the North East for their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay against Norton and Stockton Ancients, so their clash against Bacup has been postponed.

Second division league leaders Padiham are at home to Darwen and Stand travel to Oldham Town.