STAND will virtually clinch the NWCL second division title if they beat Bacup at West View tonight.

The Ewood Bridge based side have topped the table for virtually the whole season and look set to put the championship almost beyond second-placed Alsager's reach with seven games still to play.

Manager Nick Davis said his side deserved it. "We won 2-1 against Colne on Tuesday with half a team missing. They were all so tired after playing five games in 11 days - two of them work with me and they couldn't walk yesterday morning," he said.

Stand will have 88 points if they win tonight. Alsager have 76 points with four games to play, so can only reach the 88-point mark. All their four remaining games are away from home.

"It's brilliant," said Davis, who brought his side up to the North West Counties from the Manchester League only last season.

"It's fantastic. We could be right in there because we had a lot of games called off recently and if we hadn't won all those at the beginning of the season we could be eight points behind with four games in hand. That would have put the pressure on us so I am glad that hasn't happened.

"Every time a team plays us it's like a cup final and on Tuesday it was 1-1 at half-time and I had to give them a good talking to but they responded."

Stand will not be promoted because their ground does not meet first division standards and Davis has already said he will be looking for a new position in the summer.

"It wouldn't be fair to the lads not to find somewhere new. But we'll see who comes in. I love Stand, I have been there for six years and won four titles in a row.

"But I am not going to a struggling club and starting all over again. I can do a job in the first division I know that.

"But I don't know if clubs will come in because they think we are on loads of money but they don't realise that two of lads work for me, one is my best mate, and one is my brother. The players are on peanuts.

"They would come with me if I go but if not we'll stay and give the second division another go."

Stand are without Lee Anderson (hamstring), Micky Wolstenholme (broken toe) and Steve Carroll (hamstring) who will all miss the rest of the season.

Bacup are hoping to welcome back Martin Peters (rested), Paul Waine (shin splints), Dominic Hoyle (strain)and Nicky Taylor (flu) who all missed the 3-2 victory over Daisy Hill on Tuesday night.

ALSO in action tonight are Clitheroe who are at home to Woodley Sports.