A TENSE stand-off has developed between Bacup Borough manager Brent Peters and sacked captain Damian Moran.

Peters last week suspended Moran for 'persistent misconduct' and told the player his contract would be terminated after 14 days.

But the player has denied any wrongdoing and is demanding an apology from the NWCL Division Two club.

And, in a new twist, it has emerged that the club were wrong to suspend the player and threaten him with the sack - FA rules say the club can either suspend the player or terminate his contract, but not both.

Peters must now decide whether to terminate Moran's contract immediately or accept him back to the club after the suspension is served.

Peters hinted he was ready to have him back. "I don't want to lose Damian Moran," he said. "But as a manager I have got to be seen to be carrying out my duties as best possible.

"Damian Moran is a player who in our quest for promotion we could do with. I don't want to be losing a player of his quality, but needs must. I can't let sentiment come into it."

Peters released a statement which said: "In the best interests of Bacup Borough Football Club I feel I must respond to the speculative reasons why Damian Moran has been disciplined under section 16 of his contract.

"I am not going to reveal the reasons in the press. This is a club matter and will be sorted within the realms of the football club, the North West Counties League and the FA.

"The press wrongly reported that there were arguments between myself and Damian Moran.

"As a person and as a player I have the utmost respect for Damian, but I will not reveal the entire reasons behind the decision in public.

"What I will say is that a captain is a person who leads by example, who commands the utmost respect from all his team-mates and is a person who knows how to handle different types of characters in whatever circumstances.

"The decision taken has not been taken lightly. However, Damian is not in my opinion doing himself any favours when he is attempting to bring the football club into disrepute with his statement in the press, something that again could be seen as breach of contract under section 13.

"Finally, the club acted following consultation between the Football Association, our secretary Frank Manning and Commercial Director Deborah O'Connor which again was wrongly reported in the press."

Moran received a letter from the club last week outlining four incidents of misconduct for which he was suspended under clause 16 of his contract.

They included two separate instances of personal abuse to other players, an argument with striker Jason Lanns at half-time during the game against Nelson this season and an argument with Peters regarding his choice of substitute in the FA Vase game against Squires Gate 10 days ago.

It is thought that Moran is denying that these events amount to persistent misconduct. He said: "There has been no persistent misconduct. It is up to Brent now to come and speak to me because I have done nothing wrong." WAITING: Damian Moran