CLITHEROE manager Lee Sculpher has expressed his disappointment in Gavin Cooper's decision to return to Colne.

The left winger made the step up from North West Counties Division One to the UniBond First Division at the beginning of October, impressing on his debut at Chorley.

But the 21-year-old went back to Holt House this week.

"I felt he had done well for us, so for him to go back where has come from after probably half a dozen games is rather disappointing," Sculpher said.

"He played in every game, apart from Barrow on Tuesday, when I put him on the bench.

"I feel Gavin could have done well if he had stuck with it. I had high hopes because he is a young player with a lot of ability and we were looking for him to stay with us for quite some time.

"He has decided to leave and go back to Colne. But we never fall out with anyone at Clitheroe - we always welcome players back if they so wish, providing they are good enough."

Meanwhile, player-boss Sculpher is hoping his side can put their midweek defeat and defensive errors behind them as they bid to step up their league campaign.

The Blues suffered a 4-0 defeat at Conference North side Barrow in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy.

But Sculpher is confident they can put that to the back of their minds as they prepare to entertain leaders North Ferriby tomorrow.

"I don't think we deserved to get beat by four goals but the way we let them in was disappointing," he said.

"Conceding so early put us on the back foot and we never really recovered from it.

"We tried to be positive throughout the game but in the end their quality came through, but we are unbeaten in four league games with two wins and two draws so we'll be hoping to continue that run of form.

"Our aim now is to get enough points between now and Christmas to pull us away from the bottom three."

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