NIGEL Coates is refusing to show too much goodwill as Colne prepare to pack in the points before the festive season.

The Holt House chief is on a mission to charge up the table and has set his side a target of claiming maximum points from at least the next three games.

Neighbours Great Harwood are first in the firing line as Colne entertain the bottom placed side tomorrow.

"I fully expect us to get three points then we can start a batch of games that are all winnable from our point of view," said Coates, who welcomes back Gavin Cooper following his brief spell with UniBond First Division side Clitheroe.

"We've got Great Harwood tomorrow, then Formby away and Nantwich at home.

"These are the sorts of games we've got to win if we have any chance of catching Fleetwood Town, especially the home games against sides below us.

"Great Harwood have struggled but they have lost two managers since the summer and you're never going to get stability when that happens.

"But it's 11 against 11 tomorrow and I'm sure they'll be chomping at the bit to have a go at us, just like they were last season."

Great Harwood suffered their latest blow on Tuesday night when they were knocked out of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy at the first hurdle by Division Two neighbours Nelson.

That defeat gave manager Dave Sharples, if he needed it, an even clearer indication of the enormity of his task to lift the Robins off the foot of the Division One table.

"I suppose it was a tougher game than we were expecting but it was very disappointing," Sharples said.

"It was one of those games which I couldn't take any positives out of. It was very flat from our own point of view.

"And it could be getting to a point where I might need to go and get some players."

Sharples has already made a seven day transfer request for one unnamed player, but added: "I intend to contact a few more in the coming days.

"I'm happy with my front two of John Eastham and Paul Mashiter but I need cover.

"It will be a tough game on Saturday but we've just got to meet it head on."