NELSON boss Graham Howarth is hoping his side can pick up a morale-boosting League Challenge Cup win against Colne tomorrow.

League points have been hard to come by for the Blues, but Graham Howarth believes his side are within touching distance of a good run if his side can convert their chances at home.

Only long-term injury victims Neil Chapman and Lee Scholes are out of contention and Howarth is hoping his side can turn the corner.

He said: "Last time we played Colne, they were better in the first half and we were better in the second. But they won it with a goal late on and that's been the story of our season.

"We haven't played badly and if we take our chances then we'll put four goals past somebody.

"We haven't been out-classed by anyone, apart from the top two teams, so we know we can compete.

"We just need to be more clinical in front of goal and cut out the silly mistakes at thje other end."

Nigel Coates believes Colne are only slight favourites going in to their cup clash with near neighbours Nelson due an injury crisis.

For while Colne are nine places and 15 points clear of their local rivals, Coates has up to five players missing for the trip to Victoria Park.

"Given our league positions and current form, we would normally have gone in to the match as favourites," said Coates, whose side won 2-1 at Nelson in the league meeting in August. "But with so many players missing, we only have a slight advantage, if any."

James Blackburn, Scott Gizon and Chris Ingham are all definitely out while Ronnie Wright and Steve Cunningham are both major doubts.

Coates is trying to sign two players on loan in time for the League Challenge Cup tie.

Coates added: "It's a big blow because this is a local derby and you always want to win them."