NELSON make the short trip to Stand Athletic tomorrow with boss John Bailey looking for a birthday boost.

The Blues chief turned 38 on Wednesday and wants to celebate in style with victory over last season's NWCL Division Two champions.

But there is something of a keeper crisis at Victoria Park.

Regular keeper Billy Carrington, who they have on loan from Rossendale, was injured last weekend and they called on Paddy Kerr from Chorley.

However, Carrington has since recovered but played for Dale midweek because of an injury to their regular shot stopper Mark Andrews.

"We will just have to see if Rossendale need Billy tomorrow and then I will have to call on Paddy again. He did alright for us though," said Bailey.

It's been another stop-start season so far for Nelson who hope to be up among the title challengers.

The have won three and lost two of their league encounters.

"We just need some more consistency. We have five games after this all at home - three in the cup - and if we can win a couple of league games on the run we will be up among it.

"But by the end of October we will still have only played seven league games so we are playing catch-up.

"A win at Stand though would be a start. They have been doing well, I have watched them a couple of times and I know enough about them."

Nelson have drawn Dunston Federation Brewery in the first round of the FA Vase after seeing off Curzon Ashton and Evenwood Town.

"It is the third Geordie team we have played in the cups this season but we were just pleased to get a home draw," added the boss.

Striker Carl Howarth is only 50-50 to make his first start in three weeks.