DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes turned up the heat on tonight's Lancashire Marsden Trophy match at home to high-flying Morecambe by blasting his former club for 'ignoring' him after a car crash more than 10 years ago.

Wilkes, a former Preston North End professional who is now player-boss at the North West Counties Second Division side, signed for Morecambe, who were then in the UniBond Premier Division, in the summer of 1989.

But just two months later a head-on collision put both him and his wife in hospital.

Wilkes was on a life-support machine for two days and was in hospital for six weeks, during which time Morecambe terminated his contract.

"They said it was because the injuries I had were not football related," said Wilkes.

"Only the physio, Dave Edge, came to see me and he was the one who told me the club were going to stop paying my wages.

"So I have bitter memories of my time there although no one who was there then is still at the club."

Wilkes said tonight's game against the Conference side was Darwen's biggest match for three years.

"We played Morecambe in the final of this competition three years ago and tonight's game is the biggest match since that one.

"We were 18 minutes away from winning that game but we were eventually beaten 4-3 on penalties. It was just magnificent. I have never been so proud as a manager - even though we lost."

Although no one still remains from Wilkes's time at Morecambe in the 80s, Wilkes has some friends at the club.

"I know one or two people there. I was at Preston with their captain Andy Fensome and I am looking forward to seeing him.

"I got him a job at the Post Office when he finished football!"

Morecambe play four divisions higher than Darwen and would be expected to easily win tonight's tie.

"I thought Jim Harvey (the Morecambe manager) might send a weakened side," said Wilkes. "But they haven't had a game for a couple of weeks so he could send his strongest.

"There is that apprehension there because we don't want to get beat six or seven-nil and with their strongest side that's what they could do to us.

"But they won't relish coming here whether it's a strong or weak side.

"We want lots of rain and lots of cows and sheep to wander on to the pitch and make the conditions as difficult as possible.

"And we'll make sure they have cold showers - especially if they win!"

Saturday's game at home to Leek CSOB was postponed because of a frozen pitch but Wilkes said four days of above-zero temperatures had thawed it. Former Shrimps keeper Kevin Baldwin will play because Lee Purvis is suspended but Wilkes said the 19-year-old had nothing to prove.

"I hope he doesn't go out there thinking that because it can stop you doing your basics and can backfire."