BACUP Borough mount their bid to reclaim the North West Counties League Challenge Cup tomorrow.

The holders, who travel to Leek CSOB in the second round, are keen to bounce back from their heaviest defeat of the season, for which manager Brent Peters apologised to new signing David May.

The treble winning former Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley central defender signed for Bacup last week, but the side went down 4-0 at Nantwich Town on his debut.

However Peters, who signed Lee Buggie from Ramsbottom last night, insisted the defeat was out of May's control.

"I apologised to him after the game because at the weekend all eyes were on Bacup and we suffered our worst defeat of the season," he said.

"But that was nothing to do with David. It wouldn't have mattered if Rio Ferdinand, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney were playing for me on Saturday as well because three of the four goals were down to one individual's errors.

"But we addressed the situation at a team meeting on Monday before we trained and, hopefully, it won't happen again."

Meanwhile, RAMSBOTTOM UNITED face their bogey side for the third time this season as they attempt to reach the third round of the League Challenge Cup.

Alsager Town arrive at the Riverside having already inflicted two 3-1 defeats on their opponents in NWCL Division One this term.

However, they remain the only two league defeats manager Derek Egan has suffered since taking charge at the start of the season and his side is on a high following last weekend's 2-0 win over Newcastle Town.

Meanwhile, Matt Edgington has lost his appeal against a red card he picked up against Fleetwood in September and will serve a 21-day ban from November 15.