CHORLEY boss Mark Patterson wasn't concerned when he saw Leigh RMI running their hearts out at Victory Park on Tuesday night - after all, it was half an hour after the game had finished.

Phil Starbuck, who succeeded Patterson as Leigh boss earlier this season, was so incensed with his side's display in the 4-1 Marsden Trophy defeat he inflicted an extra training session on his players immediately after the game.

It was a detention that pleased Patterson, whose team reached the semi-finals with a stylish performance against their Conference opponents.

He said: "Phil learnt his football at Forest under Brian Clough, so he is a purist, while I prefer to mix it a bit more.

"On Tuesday we battled and ground them down but they also came second best in the footballing side of it so I was delighted with that.

"Phil kept them behind at the end of the game and he has his reasons for doing that but I don't want to take anything away from my players because we went from strength to strength and I hope that continues for the rest of the season."

Tomorrow would be a good time to start when UniBond Division One leaders Matlock Town are the visitors.

Patterson didn't see the point of playing himself against his former employers because the Matlock game sees him start a suspension, the same reason why defender Keith Hill will miss the game.

Andy Mason, who netted his 50th Chorley goal against Leigh, is also out due to work commitments.

However, better news comes in the shape of Jamie Bates, who is likely to deputise at the back for Hill, recovering from injury, while Anthony Hogan is back after a hernia operation.

Tom Raw, signed on an initial month's loan from Scarborough, could take Mason's place in the attack.