DEFENCE will be the key to victory for Clitheroe in tomorrow's local derby against Ramsbottom, says manager Lee Sculpher.

The Blues have hot shots Lee Cryer and Neil Spencer - who scored 58 goals between them last season - up front and the Rams have Russell Brierley and Jamie Taylor as their strikeforce, with midfielder David Yorke-Robinson backing them up with 18 goals this season.

"It will be a very tough game," said Sculpher, whose side have slipped down the league in recent weeks as a result of too many draws away from home.

"Whose defence comes out on top will win the game.

"Russell Brierley has been up there at the top of the goalscoring charts for the last three or four years and he is very dangerous."

Sculpher is hoping to play despite a slight ankle injury and Chris Whittingham is also struggling with an ankle problem.

The Blues are now eighth in the league, 11 points off leaders St Helens.

"It is our away form that we are struggling with," said Sculpher. "We are drawing too many games away from home.

"When we got into our stride last week against Salford we made them look very ordinary but we have slipped down the league."

CLITHEROE face St Helens away on Boxing Day.