PROMOTION hungry Steve Wilkes is hoping his Darwen side can swoop for some basement bargains between now and the end of the season.

A glance at the fixture list on Tuesday night brought to light an interesting fact for the Reds chief.

For none of their 14 remaining fixtures are against sides in the top eight.

"I've told the players it's up to them now," he said.

"They've worked hard over the last four or five weeks

and have got two good draws against the top two sides in the last two games.

"We're now going to be playing teams that we usually struggle against but I'd rather have it that way than have to play the top teams for the rest of the season.

"We just need to start winning again and get a few league wins under our belt so we can close the gap on the top three."

Darwen are without Neil Oldman when they travel to Leek CSOB tomorrow as he comes to the end of a 14-day suspension.

Craig Shaw will need a fitness test after suffering bruised ribs, Mark Westhead is doubtful due to a sore calf while Andy Heys is ruled out with an ankle injury.

With last season's feiry encounter in mind, when Darwen had four players sent off and were beaten 5-1, Wilkes is expecting another tough game.

"It's a must-win game for us," Wilkes said.

"It's one of the best grounds in the league and the players love going there, but it will be a difficult game."

Meanwhile, Wilkes was thanking his lucky stars after their midweek home tie with Cheadle Town was abandoned due to snow.

The Darwen boss confessed: "We were losing 1-0 and not playing well so I wasn't bothered when it got called off. It's the first time that's happened when we've been trailing."