UNIBOND Division One leaders Radcliffe Borough face a real test of character when they take on second in the table Ossett Town at Prospect Road on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) without leading goalscorer Jody Banim.

Ossett have lost just one game in their last seven and boast former Leeds United player Matthew Smithard, Chris Beaumont, who had spells at Hull City and Stockport County and 15-goal hitman Scott Jackson in their ranks.

Managed by another ex-pro in Gary Brook, Ossett also have a couple of men on their staff with Bury FC connections in coach Peter Swann and goalkeeper Lee Bracey.

Smithard was on target, along with Paul Sykes, in Ossett's 2-1 win over Eastwood Town last Saturday.

Radcliffe, though, are going great guns, and while they will undoubtedly miss Banim again, they came away from Belper with a fine 1-0 win last Saturday on the day Banim began his ban.

They have won five of their last seven league games, drawing one and losing the other and, like Ossett, have tasted defeat just three times in the league so far this season. Boro boss Kevin Glendon reports no injury worries and is likely to stick to the same side that won at Belper, which means another run-out up front for old favourite Ian Lunt alongside Richard landon.

Lee Kissock will also be pushing for a return after his injury problems. Kissock was due for a game at Clitheroe in the Marsden Trophy on Tuesday night, but missed out as the game was postponed due to Clitheroe's involvment in an FA Vase replay on Wednesday night.

That game is now set to go ahead next Tuesday night at Shawbridge.

Ossett will be without left back Adam Gray who picked up an ankle injury against Eastwood, but would have been suspended anyway.

Manager Gary Brook is also waiting for checks on several defenders due to return from injury and says: "We need to strengthen. That may well be our downfall this season, not having enough cover for suspensions and injuries."

Despite being up at the top since the start of the season, along with Boro, Brook added: "I don't think we are good enough to win outright promotion. We might make the play-offs though."

Like Brook, Glendon doesn't think this game will determine who will win the league, but he said: "It would be good to win it. It would Ossett a fair way behind us, which would be quite good as we are only still in November.

"If we come away with something from their place we will be delighted.

"We are in high spirits and so we should be. We are top of the league by some way. We have just got to keep it rolling."