CHORLEY Women's manager Andy Ramskill is confident his side can climb away from danger but admits his side have to start scoring goals.

The Magpies are third form bottom in the FA Women's National League Division One North and were beaten 2-0 at relegation rivals Morecambe Ladies last Wednesday.

Chorley have not won a league game since winning their four opening fixtures of the current campaign - the last of which was a 3-1 win over Crewe Ladies on September 16.

Since then, the Magpies have slid towards the relegation trap door - a run that has coincided with the absence of the main source of goals.

Leading scorer Scarlett Smith is pregnant and taking time away from game while fellow striker Rachel Wood is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Ramskill says it has been a battle to find a replacement but has recruited Beth Donoghue from Blackburn Rovers Ladies to help solve the problem.

"We are not playing badly, we just can't score goals at the moment and that is the problem," said Ramskill. "When we lost Scarlett and then Rachel that was 30-odd guaranteed goals gone for us.

"We are not in a great position and we just can't win at the moment and we are confident we can turn things around, we just need to start scoring goals."

Ramskill admitted it has been difficult to recruit players - especially as Chorley are surrounded by bigger clubs.

"The problem is that some of these clubs pay their players expenses," he said. "So when a player from one of these clubs comes to us looking for first team football, one of the first questions they ask is if we can pay expenses.

"When we say no, they are not interested in coming. Unfortunately we don't have that sort of backing and we fund the club ourselves."

However, Ramskill is hoping the addition of Donoghue, who has also played for Sheffield Ladies and Liverpool Ladies, can come some way to solving the goal-scoring problem.

"Beth has played at a higher level and while she is not an out an out striker as she can play wing as well, she has an eye for goal and that is what we need."

Gaskill said he is unsure whether one or two teams are relegated this season so wants to make sure Chorley start to climb the table.

With Crewe, with just one point to their name, certain to be relegated, Chorley are currently six points clear of second from bottom Morecambe Ladies with a game in hand.

They also have three games in hand over Norton and Stockton Ancients who are immediately above them.

"Losing to Morecambe wasn't great as that cuts the gap but we have games in hand and I think we are more than capable of putting a run together and climbing up to mid-table."