ROSSENDALE, Ramsbottom and Clitheroe are heading for a title showdown in NWCL Division One.
The local rivals look odds-on to be challenging for the league championship come May.
Rossendale are now top of the league with Ramsbottom trailing nine points behind but with three games in hand. Clitheroe are seven points behind Dale with a game in hand.
Rossendale, who are on the back of a 13-game unbeaten run, travel to Skelmersdale tomorrow.
Ramsbottom play host to second-placed Salford City and have recalled Mike Langhorn to the squad after he missed the midweek draw with Great Harwood because of work commitments.
But they have an injury doubt over central defender Mark Thomas.
"We have set ourselves a target of 80 points to beat the 79 which we got last season and then we will see where it takes us," said Rams Secretary John Maher.
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