Accrington Stanley face a tough examination at Witton Albion tomorrow.

And new Stanley manager Tony Greenwood hopes his side can hit back after the narrow midweek defeat at Marine.

Greenwood was busy trying to strengthen his squad today and he said: "We were desperately unlucky not to get something out of that game in midweek.

"Witton will be a tough test for us but if we show the same sort of attitude we produced at Marine then we won't go far wrong."

CLITHEROE aim to keep their NWCL Division One pot boiling at Kidsgrove Athletic tomorrow.

The Blues are unbeaten in their first five league matches and moved into the leading pack after Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Glossop North End at Shawbridge. Clitheroe's only setback so far is the FA Cup preliminary round defeat at Trafford.

Manager Denis Underwood has added former Lancaster City midfielder Dave Sharples to his squad after the return of Lee Rogerson to Accrington Stanley.

"We've made a steady start and the win over Glossop was an improved display," said Underwood.

ROSSENDALE United hit the cup trail again tomorrow - with an FA Vase first qualifying round tie against Nelson.

And the Dark Lane men should be in good heart for the task ahead after their FA Cup heroics at Castleton Gabriels.

Rossendale staged a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to win the tie 4-2 after extra-time - and book a plum home tie against Vauxhall Conference high-flyers Southport a week tomorrow.

"The win over Castleton Gabriels has given everybody a great boost and the Southport game is a big reward," said delighted manager Micky Graham. "We have another home tie tomorrow and it gives us another chance to progress in a cup competition. The important thing is that we've got our first win under our belts." Graham will pick his side from a full strength squad.

Calling all centre-forwards! BACUP BOROUGH are desperate to find a goalscorer capable of converting some of the many chances being created.

Ever since assistant manager Alan Davis suffered a sickening knee injury in the season's opening fixture, the striking role has proved a real problem to fill for the North West Counties Division Two outfit.

This week's new signing Lynton James is not eligible for the FA Vase first qualifying round tie at Salford City on Saturday ( kick-off 3pm), but former Haslingden man James was impressive on his debut when Bacup were narrowly defeated in their midweek encounter at Daisy Hill. CHORLEY boss Dave Sutton will be looking for more midfield steel from his side when they take on Gainsborough Trinity at Victory Park tomorrow.

And better defending than the Magpies showed in the midweek home defeat by Barrow will also be on his agenda.

Chorley, 3-1 losers in a thrilling game after a very encouraging first half when Steve Haw scored an equaliser, will need to be on their mettle against Trinity, who have made a useful start.

RAMSBOTTOM entertain Tetley Walker tomorrow at Riverside in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.

Keeper Mike Kelly will be out for a further two weeks while Darryl Sloane remains on loan from Accrington Stanley.

Forward Craig Chadwick is ruled out with an injury to ankle ligaments and left back Mike Langhorn is only 50-50 due to a groin strain.

Harvey Jackson, last year's reserve player of the season at Ramsbottom, has slotted in to the left back position well and could be in line to start tomorrow anyway. Mel Burke and Paul Stanley serve their final match of suspension but Mark Keegan remains suspended after the sending off against Middlewich in the Second Division Cup semi-final at the end of last season.

NELSON player/manager Nigel Coates must feel a bit like Noah!

After six games of the new campaign, he's had two of everything ... two wins, two draws and two defeats.

However, his options have been limited at times and team selection from a much depleted squad of players has been a headache.

Six regulars were missing from the side that drew 3-3 in midweek against Haslingden.

"Matt Shiels seems to have put his lean goalscoring spell behind him - he's got three in the last two games - and along with Andy Bannister, the pair now look like causing opponents plenty of problems," said Coates.

Tomorrow, Nelson travel to Dark Lane to take on Rossendale United in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round.

COLNE play host to fellow strugglers Stantondale at Holt House tomorrow in North West Counties' League Second Division action. Keith Mason's men are planted firmly at the foot of the table without a point to their credit - but neither have Stantondale.

Centre half David Stirk and sweeper Mark Timmins are both ruled out due to work commitments.

Garswood United defeated Colne 4-1 midweek but their secretary, John Richards, warned: "Colne's position belies the fact they have a good team who I fancy to really do a number on a team in the next few weeks." It could be Stantondale tomorrow.

DARWEN travel to Penrith tomorrow trying to maintain their excellent start in the North West Counties' League First Division.

Dean McGarry returns to bolster Darwen's midfield following groin trouble.

Centre half Andrew Walsh should also be back after recovering from a knee injury.

Mark Walsh, Martin Horsfield and Steve Mullen - all influential members of the squad - are suspended for the next couple of weeks.

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