LANCASTER City boss Tony Hesketh says he is sick of seeing teams taking advantage of injured players.

Hesketh was attacked in a national football newspaper last week after his side refused to give the ball back to Marine in last week's game after it was put out to allow treatment of a player.

Hesketh says that while giving the ball back is good sportsmanship when a player has a head or serious leg injury, he feels it is being misused, especially later in matches.

"That was the third time Marine had the physio on in just a few minutes. We were chasing the game and I felt they were trying to stop a wave of attacks.

"A lot of the Marine players were just going down with tiredness, and I haven't seen a physio yet who can treat that!

"After we refused to give the ball back, I notice they didn't do it again."

Hesketh is also to write to the newspaper in question with his views and will also continue to discuss the issue with referees.

This weekend sees in form Lancaster take on old rivals Bishop Auckland, after what Hesketh described as the best performance of the season against Runcorn.

With more of city's legion of injured players returning, and Irishman Steve Birks finally linking up with the club, the squad is looking strong.

Paul Sparrow played his first game of the season in midweek, while Lee Clitheroe and Kenny Mayers are both well on their way to first team action.

Lancaster's almost flawless away record, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one, will be tested in Saturday's away game, while another strong side from the North East, Blyth Spartans, are at the axe next Tuesday.

Hesketh added: "I feel we have been trying a lot of things and not all of them have been paying off so far, but they will do in the end."