BACUP have accused the North West Counties League of devaluing their own competition after they crashed out of the Worthington Challenge Trophy.

Brent Peters was furious that his side and opponents Maine Road were forced to play the cup tie at short notice after the NWCL management committee switched the game to Maine Road with less than 72 hours notice.

The game scheduled for West View was postponed for the third time on Tuesday night because of the weather and Bacup were told they had to play on Thursday.

"They have devalued their own competition," slammed the Bacup boss. "We have no midweek game next week so they could have played then, my players had no time to prepare and many were battling to get time off work at short notice.

"They seemed jaded and not up for it. This was the same for both sides.

"And Maine Road took just £19 on the gate because they hadn't been able to publicise it.

"I am absolutely furious. I will be sending the league a bill for lost revenue because we have lost a home tie, they probably won't pay it so I will leave it in the hands of my legal people. We might lose but they will have to work hard to win it.

"And also I will get in trouble for making comments to the press. But they have a rule that the management can't talk to the manager just the Chairman and the Secretary at a club. If they won't talk to the manager then I have to make my point in someway."

Bacup were forced to play a makeshift side. They conceded a goal just before half time and then two late goals as they pushed for an equaliser.

"We are disappointed but the league hasn't heard the last of this."

MAINE ROAD...3 BACUP...0