ACCRINGTON Stanley face a derby clash tonight when they welcome Chorley to the Crown Ground in the Group Stages of UniBond League Cup.

The Reds are out to progress in all cup competitions - they start their FA Cup campaign on Saturday - but will be the favourites to win their group in this one.

Alongside UniBond First Division side Chorley are current Division One pacesetters Rossendale and Radcliffe Borough, while they will face fellow Premier sides Burscough and Marine in Group Four.

Stanley met the Magpies last season in the FA Trophy with the Reds triumphant 3-0 in the replay.

And so far this season it has been a struggle for Chorley with four losses out of their last five games.

Stanley, on the other hand, have won three of their last four matches although they were unlucky to lose to Whitby Town on Saturday with two deflected goals giving Whitby the early advantage in the 3-2 loss.

Both sides are in need of a morale boosting win and it promises to be an entertaining game at the Crown Ground.

Meanwhile, Nelson will be desperate for a win against second placed Formby at home in the NWCL Division Two - and to give boss John Bailey a belated birthday present.

Bailey, who turned 37 yesterday, is looking for his side to keep track of the early pacesetters. Nelson are currently in fourth place, six points adrift of Formby with two games in hand.

With hopes of achieving promotion this time round after just missing out in the last two seasons, Bailey is eager to get one over on their rivals.

"It is only early yet but you don't want to leave yourself too much to do," said the boss.

"We are only ten games down the line and we are not thinking about any titles yet. The aim at the moment is to pick up a few more wins and a few more points and then we'll see where we are."

Nelson do have an injury crisis with Stuart Mulligan and Andy Howarth on holiday, Scott Gizon is out because of work commitments while Mark Robinson, Chris Halstead and Ian Fleming are all long-term casualties.

"We'd rather face them with a strong side but those who came in have been doing well," admitted the boss.

They have been doing more than well with the Blues hammering eight past Garforth Town in the FA Vase on Saturday to set up a trip to Louth United in the third qualifying round.

"It was a good win. It took a while to get to 3-0 and before then you are still wondering but once we got the fourth, I could relax. It then becomes enjoyable."

And Bailey knows how enjoyable a win will be tonight - especially as the game is at Victoria Park.

"Because we are at home tonight, it is important that we win," said Bailey. "We have won all our home games so far except our first game against Squires Gate.

"But Formby are a robust, physical side and they are unbeaten this season. They are hard to beat but we'd like to think they feel the same about us."