ACCRINGTON STANLEY have made the perfect preparation for their FA Umbro Trophy second round clash with Spalding United at the Crown Ground tomorrow.

The Reds settled an old score in midweek when they beat UniBond Premier Division outfit Bamber Bridge 3-1 - nearly 12 months on from when Bridge humiliated Stanley 5-0 to signal the end for former boss Billy Rodaway.

"That meant a lot to the fans and it was a great result," said Reds boss John Coleman.

"But we would have sooner it had been for three points."

Lincolnshire outfit Spalding are currently struggling in the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League, where they stand next to bottom with only two league wins all season.

But despite the fact Stanley are in good heart, Coleman is playing it cautiously.

"I don't know a lot about them but I have had a few reports and they are supposed to be paying a bit of money out and a couple of good players.

"But I'm just hoping we can maintain our home form and if we do that we'll be a match for anyone."

Defender John Doolan is a slight doubt with an ankle injury.

But Jay Flannery should be fit to return after missing the last two games.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED meeet Atherton Collieries for the fourth time this season tomorrow when they clash in the FNWTL Challenge Cup first round. The two sides have met twice in the league and once in the FA Cup already this term.

"What you see is what you get with Cols," said Rams secretary John Maher.

"But despite their lowly position in the league nobody turns them over at their place so it should be a hard fought game."

Neil Wallace and Steve Orrell are both doubtful through injury and Brendan O'Shaughnessey completes his three week suspension.

But new signing Mark Garside is back after m issing the midweek Marsden Cup win over Squires Gate.

ROSSENDALE UNITED striker Craig Sargeson is currently having trials with a couple of League clubs after setting the FNWTL First Division alight this season.

The 16-goal hitman had a trial with Second Division pacesetters Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.

And the talented teenager has also been lined up for a stint with First Division strugglers Sheffield United next week. Dark Lane boss Micky Graham admits he would be devastated to lose his star man.

But he won't stand in the way of the player if he gets a chance to have a crack at the big time.

"Obviously, we don't want to lose one of our better players," said Graham.

"But if any of our squad go on to play at a higher level then we are doing our job.

"The money side of it doesn't come into it.

"We just want to do our best for Craig and we won't stand in his way if he gets the chance to better himself."

In the meantime, Graham will concentrate on preparing his squad for tomorrow's FNWTL Challenge Cup first round clash with Great Harwood at Dark Lane.

And he is looking for his side to extend their unbeaten run to nine games.

"We've drawn twice with them so far this season but I think it's a good chance for us to progress."

Matt Raywood, John Borland and Mark Andrews are all doubtful.

GREAT HARWOOD boss Denis Underwood will have to check on Paul Brown and Clive Dunn, who picked up knocks in mid-week, while Andy Bright is cup-tied. However, Warren Peake and Paul Walker should return.

"They are going well and our form is so erratic at the moment. But that doesn't mean we can't go there and win," said Underwood.

DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has won his tug-of-war with Rossendale United boss Micky Graham over the future of star defender Neil Durkin.

Graham had hoped to prise Durkin away from the Anchor as Dale's title challenge begins to gather pace.

But after a chat with Wilkes, the highly-rated defender has agreed to stay and lead the Anchormen's FNWTL Second Division promotion charge instead.

"I'm over the moon Neil has decided to stay," said Wilkes.

"It's a massive boost for us."

"I didn't have any money to offer to try and persuade him to stay.

"But I told him he does have the chance to lead his hometown club to the Second Division title if he stays with us.

"And, being a Darwen lad, I think that swayed him."

That news comes as timely boost ahead of Darwen's crunch encounter at fellow promotion hopefuls Castleton Gabriels tomorrow. And Wilkes is well aware of the importance of the clash.

"It's a massive game for us."

Mick Lynch is definitely ruled out with a hamstring problem but Matt Atkinson returns from suspension.

NELSON, having tasted defeat in the league for the first time last Saturday, turn their attention to the first round of the FNWTL Challenge Cup tomorrow when they visit Alsager.

"It's important that we bounce back with a victory after last week and it will be interesting to see how the players react. We are looking for a win to progress in the competition," said player-boss John Bailey.

Les Thompson, Glenn Little, Neil Chapman and the injured Darren Whittaker are ruled out, although Chris Halstead is expected to return from injury.

CLITHEROE will be hoping to continue their recent excellent form when they take on Division One pacesetters Vauxhall GM in the first round of the FNWTL Challenge Cup.

It is a tough trip for Steve Parry's men but their form couldn't be better and the manager says his side will go into the tie with confidence.

"We beat them earlier in the season and although it will have no bearing on what happens tomorrow it will give us the belief that we can do it again. "It is important we try and keep the run we are on going. We have some big games coming up between now and Christmas."

Parry has Mark Stewart back in the squad but Darren Norman and Andy Cowking are unavailable.

CHORLEY boss Ken Wright is continuing to track former Blackpool winger Tony Rodwell, although he won't be in the Magpies' squad for their mid-table Unibond League First Division clash at home to Congleton tomorrow.

Rodwell is currently negotiating his release from Hyde United and Wright confirmed: "He's a cultured player and once he's a free agent we'll have a chat with him and see what contribution he can make."

Wright has selection problems for tomorrow with Ian Leather and Eric Rostron still out and doubts over Darren Calderbank, Keith Evans and Paul Griffin.

However, Adam Critchley could be pushing for a start as Chorley try to repeat their decent away form back at Victory Park.

"Our home form has been indifferent," Wright admitted. "It's just one of those things, to be honest.

"We've been in situations where we've been in front by two goals and conceded two and we've let in goals in the last minute. "The performances at home haven't been that bad and we've drawn games we should have won.

"We've really got to go for the three points tomorrow and I think we are capable of getting them if we apply ourselves correctly."

BACUP BOROUGH look to continue their FNWTL Second Division promotion challenge at local rivals COLNE. Borough are unbeaten in 14 League games and manager Brent Peters is now looking to start pulling in some maximum points returns.

He said: "We have drawn seven, which is a lot compared with other teams, but we have played all the top teams apart from Darwen. They have all come together so we have had a run of draws so it's important to go to Colne and hopefully get three points. But we must not be blase and we would never take anything for granted."

Peters, who reports a clean bill of health, has released Stuart Walters, who has joined Castleton Gabriels.

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