IF tonight's FA Vase second round replay between Clitheroe and Nelson comes down to penalties keeper Mark Canning aims to be the hero at both ends.

The Nelson shot-stopper will be prepared to stop the Clitheroe spot-kicks - but he also wants to take one.

"I would fancy a blast, I have had a go in training but I would have to persuade the gaffer to let me. But hopefully it will be sorted out before then," said the 34-year-old, who has spent time at Oldham Athletic and Rochdale and has been at Victoria Park for two seasons.

Underdogs Nelson are hoping to pull off one of the shocks of the round against last year's FA Vase semi-finalists.

The NWCL Division Two side held the Division One high-fliers to a 1-1 draw, after extra-time, at Shawbridge with Canning one of the heroes of the Nelson side.

"I think we cancelled each other out," said the goalie. "With injuries and some players leaving, the manager John Bailey had to call in a few fringe players - including himself and he hadn't played for two months - and I think pure determination got us through.

"Clitheroe are no mugs and we know it will be tough at our place. Their striker Lee Cryer is my mate and although he has been injured, he is a quality player. The league table does not lie so we know they will come at us.

"They tend to like playing football and our pitch is as good as any in the NWCL, if not the best, and they might think it will suit them but it is one game and 90 - or 120 - minutes and anything can happen.

"But we have just got to stick together and play together like we did on Saturday. I think we could have won it in the end."

Lee Coleridge got a great solo goal to open the scoring for Nelson before Neil Reynolds cancelled it out just after half-time from a Lee Sculpher free kick.

"It was disappointing to concede just after half-time especially from a set-piece as we had been told to watch out for them," said Canning. "But we defended well apart from that and I will be trying to make sure we do the same tonight."

Canning has had some good moments in football - being under Joe Royle at Oldham - and some bad.

"One was being told by Eddie Gray at Rochdale that I wasn't tall enough even though I am six foot and another was missing out on promotion on the last day of last season when I thought Nelson had gone up."

But he aims for this to be a good night for his side.

Clitheroe's player-boss Schulpher, however, is hoping his players can step up a gear.

"Everyone seemed to have an off-day on Saturday and we know we didn't pass the ball like we can," he said.

"We let them take charge in midfield and we have just got to hope we can stop them playing.

"We have got to play better and I can't even contemplate losing!"

The player/boss is a doubt with an ankle injury while Clitheroe will miss Neil Spencer who is sitting out a controversial suspension that the Blues are appealing against.

Left back Stuart Todhunter is struggling but the good news is that striker Cryer is on his was back after being sidelined with injury for the last few months.

For Nelson, Mick Molyneux is back in contention after suspension and Andy Bannister is in the squad.

"The onus is on us now," said boss John Bailey. "Hopefully there will be a big crowd and we will get the right result."

The winner of the tie will face a long trip to Northamptonshire side Cogenhoe United who, last season, were champions of the United Counties League

Clitheroe have added striker Ian Vickers to their side, although tonight's game will be too early. They have snapped the frontman up from Blackpool Mechanics although he used to play at UniBond side Bamber Bridge.

Colne welcome NWCL Division One side Ramsbottom to Holt House tonight in the Second round of the Worthington Trophy.