AFC DARWEN have silverware in their sights when they host Hanley Town tomorrow in the League Cup quarter final.

The Salmoners are still fighting a play-off battle in the North West Counties League Division One but have been hampered by a host of postponements meaning they are currently down in 10th, eight points off the top six.

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But Nick Lloyd’s men have up to eight games in hand on sides above them and the Darwen boss is hoping a cup run can help his side form a promotion charge.

“It gets difficult to get any consistency when you have so many games called off,” said Lloyd.

“We play one and win then we have two weeks off and then we play again. The lads are now almost expecting games to be off and it is more of a surprise when we play.

“Hopefully the game will be on tomorrow and we can get a result. I would love to win a cup. We want to win every game we play but this is a chance to get through to a semi-final and then possibly a final.

“There is less pressure on the lads because our main focus is the league and getting into the play-offs, but obviously we want to make the next round and if we can do that and get a good draw then who knows.

“It would be great for this club to win a trophy at the end of the season.”

Darwen have been beaten twice by tomorrow’s opponents already this season but Lloyd doesn’t believe that will have any bearing on this weekend’s tie.

He added: “We lost 3-0 at our place and had probably 80 per cent of the ball. We were unlucky and we know we can beat them.

“We have home advantage and they have to travel up from Stoke so hopefully we can get the right result.”

Meanwhile, improving Bacup & Rossendale Borough bid to make it three games unbeaten when they host Alsager Town in the North West Counties League Premier Division tomorrow.

Brent Peters’ side have taken four points from their last two games and were only denied back-to-back wins by a last minute Silsden equaliser in midweek.

Despite the upturn in fortunes Borough remain bottom of the table and are still 12 points from safety but three points from the clash with mid-table Alsager could see them close within a point of Stockport Sports, the side immediately above them.

Banoldswick Town will also be out to boost their survival hopes when they entertain Winsford United.

Barlick are two points and one place above the drop zone following last weekend’s vital victory over St Helens and boss Stewart Airdrie knows a win could see his side leapfrog last week’s opponents into 19th.

At the other end of the table Nelson can climb into the top six if they take maximum points from their home clash with Bootle, who start the day behind Mark Fell’s men only on goal difference.

Colne, who start the day in ninth, have a tough assignment away at fourth placed Ashton Athletic.

Steve Cunningham’s Reds have won their last three league matches.