RAMSBOTTOM United must be relieved Alsager is in Cheshire - because it means they won't have to face them in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy.

Saturday's 3-1 defeat in the NWCL Challenge Cup was the third time the Rams have been on the wrong end of that scoreline against Alsager this season, so tonight's first round tie at Squire's Gate gives them a welcome break form their bogey team.

"The strange thing on Saturday was that we accepted that we were going to get beat," said assistant manager Andy Grimshaw.

"We played unbelievably well for the first 20 minutes but as soon as they scored we were a different team.

"We made some changes because the cups mean fringe players will get a chance but we can't blame the lads who came in.

"One of them, James Hoyle scored a great goal, so it had nothing to do with that, I think it was just a mental thing.

"When they scored, we just thought 'here we go again' and it knocked the stuffing out of us."

Aside from the hat-trick of defeats to Alsager, Ramsbottom's only other loss this season was to Southport in the FA Cup.

But Grimshaw insists that they are keen to make progress in the county competition, starting with victory over their fellow NWCL Division One side tonight.

He added: "We're going to try to put things right tonight because we want to go further in this cup.

"There's chance to play bigger teams like Lancaster, Morecambe or Southport so that's what I'm looking for."

CLITHEROE are hoping Lee Cryer will make his long-waited return from injury at Barrow tonight.

However, the striker might find it difficult to break into the side for the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy first round tie after Neil Spencer's heroics on Saturday.

He scored both goals as Clitheroe continued their climb up UniBond Division One with a 2-1 win over Spalding United.

Russell Clarke is also back for the visit to the Conference North strugglers, after completing a suspension.

DARWEN will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of the derby defeat at home to Padiham on Saturday when they entertain Atherton Collieries tonight.