IT IS a revenge mission as Darwen boss Steve Wilkes goes head to head with his big rival, Bacup manager Brent Peters at West View tonight.

There is no love lost between the two gaffers but Peters has got the upper hand in the two games played so far.

Bacup beat Darwen 5-1 in the FA Vase and 1-0 in the NWCL Division Two clash at the Anchor Ground earlier this season.

"We need to break the Bacup hoodoo," said Wilkes.

"They seem to have a spell over us at the moment as we haven't beat them in a couple of years.

"Even last season we drew and lost against them so we need to get a win tonight."

There has been something of a war of words between the managers as, after this term's league loss, Wilkes said: "We always seem to struggle against poor sides."

This provoked a response from Peters: "How can we be a poor side when we have beaten them twice?"

But Darwen boss Wilkes counter-acted this saying: "In my eyes we are a better side than Bacup.

He continued: "They are always big games against Bacup because it is me and Brent and because it is Darwen and Bacup, a local derby.

"Really it is a non-entity game as we have nothing to play for - we are going to finish in about a mid-table position.

"But if we win tonight, it will guarantee that we will finish above Bacup so we want a victory."

Darwen have been on a 'bonding' session this weekend to Blackpool as they were without a game and Wilkes now wants 100 per cent commitment from his side for their final two matches.

"The players are now playing for their places next season. I have one or two irons in the fire to bring players in and those that are here have got to prove to me that they want to play for Darwen FC.

"There has been one or two home truths said and one or two eyes opened so I want them to prove to me they have the commitment."

Wilkes has not been playing 32-goal hitman Paul Baker in recent games as he has had a niggle but may bring him back for tonight.

"But Andy Walsh has been playing up front in his absence and he has been doing okay. You can guarantee he will get his head to things.

"And Matt Swailes seems to have got some of his confidence back after scoring last week," added Wilkes.

Bacup will be without influential defender Gary Lloyd who has been suspended by the club following an incident involving the referee Mike Shaw at Stone Dominoes on Saturday.

Lloyd allegedly lunged at the Macclesfield police constable after getting sent off.

Shaw's report should land at the Lancashire FA in the next few days and Bacup are waiting to hear what will happen next - Lloyd could face a lifetime ban from any football.

"He will not put on a Bacup shirt until the matter has been fully investigated," confirmed Peters.

Elsewhere in the UniBond First Division, it is a huge game at Rossendale who must beat rivals Leek Town if they are to boost their hopes of clinching a play-off spot.

Dale have four games left and, with four victories, could reach 70 points which could be enough to seal a play-off place.

But they will need to make sure they improve their home form - Dark Lane has proved something of a jinx for Jim McCluskie's side and they need to win tonight.

In NWCL Division One, Clitheroe welcome table-topping Salford City to the Shawbridge while, in Division Two, Colne make the trip to Bootle (ko 6.15pm), Padiham travel to Squires Gate and league champions Stand welcome Leek CSOB to Ewood Bridge.