COLNE are preparing to do battle with not only title-chasing local rivals Padiham tonight - but the current tropical climate as well!

Their 2-1 defeat at Leek CSOB on Saturday had to be stopped for 10 minutes after a linesman was stung in the eye by a bee.

So if any more insects are basking in the glorious early spring weather at Holt House Stadium, the home side have come prepared.

Co-manager Dean Grice said: "We've got some insect repellent! Because it was a hot day we thought the linesman had exhaustion when he collapsed but it turns out a bee had stung him.

"I think it must have been because he was waving his flag so much he attracted all sorts to it!"

But Grice was in no mood for joking at the final whistle as his team lived up to his predictions.

In Friday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph he expressed his frustration that Colne couldn't beat the teams below them in the table, and so it proved again.

Grice said: "We were absolutely awful. You can back players up sometimes and make excuses but on Saturday we were out-battled and out-fought and that's why we didn't get anything.

"One or two words were said after the game with regards to players' pride and we will be looking for a response."

Padiham completes a quickfire double over Chadderton with their second 2-0 victory over them in the pace of four days on Saturday.

It keeps them in the hunt for promotion from North West Counties Division Two and their manager Graham Haworth is remaining philosophical about the 2-1 defeat they suffered at home to Colne two weeks ago.

He said: "At that stage we had 10 games left and I thought that we could afford to lose one of those, and we did straight way.

"So after that the target has been to win every game as they come and that's what we are looking for.

"We won't be doing anything different than we did against them last time. It's just another game and, hopefully, another three points.

Padiham are likely to be unchanged from the weekend although Scott Gizen could return from injury.

Matt Woods and Jason Heffernan are doubtful for Colne as Grice and count manager Paul Lynch prepare to inject some new blood into the team.

Grice added: "When we went to Padiham we got there and imposed ourselves on the game and set our stall out early.

"It might sound biased coming from me but we dominated the game completely for the first 45 minutes and they completely changed their system. That says something about how we were playing.

"We can't let Padiham get at us, we must match them in every department, and more than match them in some departments if we are going to get anything from the game."