BACUP Borough boss Brent Peters hopes his spying mission pays off when he meets his big rival, Darwen chief Steve Wilkes, tonight.

Bacup's game against NWCL Division Two leaders Stand was called off on Saturday so Peters took the opportunity to have a look at tonight's opponents in their 1-1 draw with Castleton Gabriels.

And he has earmarked their dangermen - top scorer Paul Baker and the highly-rated Matt Swailes - for their first league encounter of the season.

"Paul Baker is always someone I have a lot of time for. He is a crafty player, he makes intelligent runs and is good on the ball. He is the sort of player who scores goals but he came off on Saturday," said Peters, with the 32-goal hitman facing a late fitness test on his ankle.

Peters continued: "And you have got to watch Matt Swailes. He impressed me as he finds time and space and has a good touch.

"But the rest of the players are typical Darwen and the match will be a typical derby, it will be a real battle. If we aren't up for it we will be in trouble.

"But I will have no problems getting my players up for this one. That's because it is Darwen and it is Steve Wilkes. It will be the same for them as it is Brent Peters and Bacup."

The two managers - not always the best of friends - had a chat after the game on Saturday, but Wilkes could not contain his anger after his side's draw.

Darwen had won five on the bounce before their clash with bottom club Castleton.

"I am still annoyed about it," fumed Wilkes. "My players thought they just had to turn up to win.

"Getting three points would have been a huge boost. We want to finish as high as possible as you never know what will happen with ground grading and who will go up.

"But I shouldn't need to say anything to prepare them for the Bacup game.

"We owe them one as they beat us 5-1 in the FA Vase earlier this season and I will be reminding my team about that."

Bacup hot shot Karl Stanley was on fire that day but he will miss tonight's clash at the Anchor Ground after an ankle operation.

Julian Dowe is still out after a knee operation while goalkeeper Adam Potts is suspended.

Bacup are desperate to play tonight as, after having countless postponements, they have still 19 league games to play this season. And their last match was a 7-0 loss to Squires Gate - one Peters wants to put behind them.

"I was so angry at half-time that I threw tea everywhere - all over my mobile and their designer gear - but we just have to forget that now.

"We officially have now only a month to fit in 19 games which is going to be a nightmare. It makes a mockery of the league as we want to finish as high as possible but I am going to have to swap and change my team as we will be playing three times a week. But we just have to get on with it."

Denny Khan comes back into the frame for Darwen after his stag weekend in Newquay while goalkeeper Lee Purvis is suspended and so second choice shot-stopper Kevin Baldwin will start.

Elsewhere resurgent Chorley, who are looking for a new manager with Ken Wright finishing at the end of the season, face a tough task tonight. They make the trip to UniBond First Division side Harrogate who are 11 points clear at the top.

In the NWCL Division One, seventh-placed Clitheroe are at home to Fleetwood Freeport while mid-table Ramsbottom entertain Congleton.

And Great Harwood manager Denis Underwood needs his bottom of the table side to bounce back at fifth placed Mossley following their 6-0 hammering by Glossop on Saturday.

In Division Two, league leaders Stand hope to get a game on at Ewood Bridge when Holker Old Boys visit, while Padiham make the trip to Cheadle Town.