AMBITIOUS Padiham manager Steve Wilkes has admitted his current squad is not good enough to lift the North West Counties Division Two title.

The Storks boss has vowed to make changes after losing 3-2 at home to promotion rivals Flixton on Saturday.

And he is even trying to coax striker Paul Baker out of retirement on the eve of his 40th birthday.

"Paul's reluctant, but I know he'll score me goals and that's what we're lacking at the moment," said Wilkes, ahead of tomorrow's Division Two Trophy clash at home to neighbours Darwen.

"We've had a great start and I'm sure most managers in the division would accept losing two in 16 games, but Saturday showed me the players I've got aren't good enough to get us promoted.

"Flixton were rough and ready, as I'd anticipated, but there were certain players who I thought would be better in those circumstance who didn't perform how I would have liked them to.

"We lost Denny Khan with a hamstring injury after 10 or 15 minutes, which didn't help, and we missed Craig Chadwick in central midfield.

"It could have been a different story had he played.

"But, overall, it was a poor day, but hopefully I can make some changes this week."

Darwen manager Steve Mullen, on the other hand, is happy with his current crop of players.

The two teams go head-to-head for the second time in two weeks when they vie for a place in the third round of the competition tomorrow.

And while he knows they will be underdogs at the Arbories (kick-off 3pm), Mullen feels his settled side are gleaning confidence with each week.

"We ground a result out against Blackpool Mechanics last week, which is a good sign because we weren't achieving that earlier in the season," he said.

"We were letting ourselves down by making silly mistakes before, but we seem to have crossed that bridge now and we are more of a settled unit.

"We didn't create as much as I know we can against Blackpool, but it was a good workmanlike performance against a tall, physical side. I didn't feel we looked like losing because we stuck to our game plan and thoroughly deserved the three points."

Mullen is now doing his utmost to take the pressure of his troops ahead of tomorrow's derby clash, admitting he is more concerned with their league exploits.

"We'll go there in a relaxed mood because I've told the lads I'm not interested in good cup runs, especially if that means us struggling in the league," he said.

"But if we play as well as we know we can then we'll do okay.

"I honestly felt the last time we played them we did ourselves proud.

"We got ourselves back into the game at 2-1.

"Their third goal killed us off, but we don't fear anybody."