PAUL Blackledge is expecting more staggering and spluttering as his side drives towards the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League title.

The HASLINGDEN captain expects the nerves to be frayed once again tomorrow when they go in search of the points they need to clinch the championship at home to Accrington.

The final day fixture looks, on paper, a home banker for the Bentgate men but last weekend they almost stalled at rock bottom Burnley, eventually scraping together the 161 runs they needed for victory.

"We're playing pressure cricket," admitted Blackledge. "We've everything to lose while the likes of Burnley and Accrington have everything to gain by beating the side that's top.

"Because we are top we are pretty confident but it was nervous last week when we beat Burnley.

"We should be winning the league with the players we've got but now we need to be strong enough to get through it.

"Accrington started well then fell by the wayside and they will be disappointed they haven't got their pro because he's one of the best in the league."

Paid man Tama Canning has gone on tour to South Africa with New Zealand A, meaning it will be a battle of the Khans in the sub pro showdown tomorrow.

Kabir, who also played against Nelson and Bacup earlier in the season, comes from Kendal to join the Haslingden ranks, while Accrington have opted for Nadeem, who stood in for Lowerhouse against Church last weekend.

Otherwise, Haslingden are unchanged from the Burnley game as they enter the game with a five-point lead over Church.

This margin will be maintained if weather forecasts are accurate as the whole programme could be washed out on Sunday.

However, Blackledge is neither banking on, or hoping for, such an anti-climax.

He said: "I've had contrasting opinions about the weather, some people saying it will pour down, others saying it won't.

"Most people will try to play if possible with so much at stake, otherwise it could be a lottery."

CHURCH have given their all in their pursuit of Haslingden, with three players now on the verge of taking 50 wickets in one season.

Professional Ruvin Pieris, who last week became the club's record run maker, has already reached the half century of victims along with team-mate Nick Westwell, who is in the form of his life with 63 wickets.

Now Andrew Bentley needs just two more wickets to complete a remarkable treble for Church, who will be praying for good weather in the home clash with Rawtenstall to give them at least a fighting chance of bridging the six-point gap at the top.

Club representative Jack Houldsworth said: "Everything is in the lap of the Gods now, but I can't help feeling the Gods deserted us the other weekend when Haslingden beat Todmorden after they reversed their batting order.

"I am not banking on Haslingden losing at home to Accrington, but that is entirely out of our hands.

"All we can do is win our own game and then we've done everything in our power to win the league."

Church make just one change for the do-or-die game, David Bury coming in to replace Phil Gilrane.

A maximum points victory for RAWTENSTALL at Blackburn Road could see them sneak into the runners-up spot. Four wins on the trot has already secured fourth place, but chairman Brian Payne is aiming for second.

"If we lose then we have already had a successful season. We've already proved a lot of people wrong but we will be doing our best to finish as high as we can."

Daniel Barlow returns for Matt Hanson while Afrus Ali continues to deputise for Rizwan Shafiq.

RAMSBOTTOM are nine points off the top, so really need maximum points at Lowerhouse if they are to snatch the title.

BURNLEY are already consigned to finishing bottom, but will be hoping for consolation of batting star Jonathan Clare finishing as the leading run-scoring amateur.

Clare is neck and neck with Lancashire Academy and Lowerhouse opener Vishal Tripathi with just one match to go.

After leading the way for over half the season, Clare has slipped back and the contenders are now separated by just 2 runs - Tripathi leading the way with 748.