IT could be a lot worse for Lee Sculpher.

After all, the Clitheore manager only has to pick up the pieces of a 5-0 defeat at Mossley in the UniBond League Challenge Cup on Tuesday.

Opponents Spalding United are trying to recover from a 6-0 thrashing at Thurrock in the FA Cup last week when they travel up from Lincolnshire for the UniBond Division One meeting between the sides tomorrow.

And Sculpher needs a quick improvement if his side are to achieve their target of being in a position to strike for the play-offs in the New Year.

He said: "If we reached the top eight that would be fantastic for us, but the next five or six weeks will dictate that.

"What concerns me most is league points and getting enough between now and the New Year so we're not in a relegation scrap.

"We can then enjoy the last four months of the season, with a possible push for the play-off places."

Clitheroe's preparation for tomorrow has been hampered by the loss of goalkeeper Kris Richens, while Russell Clarke is serving the last game of a suspension and Lee Cryer is still injured.

Danny Woodhead takes over in goal while Sculpher is hoping Adam Gardner and Graham Price have recovered from illness.