BACUP manager Brent Peters is turning detective to solve the mystery of the missing number three shirt -- although he thinks the strange world of superstition has the answer.

The shirt -- belonging to skipper Damian Moran -- was last seen after being laid out by the kit boy just before the match at Castleton Gabriels last Saturday but when the Bacup lads came to don their strip it was nowhere to be seen.

"There were eleven grown men scrambling around on hands and knees in the tiny dressing room but it had just vanished," said Peters. Instead, as an emergency, the captain had to put on the number 15 shirt -- allowed by the referee -- before the Bacup boss had to buy a new number three the day after.

And his suspicions? "I don't want to cast aspersions but I will!

"Damian last wore that shirt when he took a last minute penalty in our long-running fixture at Skelmersale," said the Bacup chief, who has had this Marsden Challenge Trophy tie postponed at least five times before the venue was switched.

It was 1-1 as Moran stepped up to take a last gasp penalty which could have clinched the game for Bacup. "He missed it so we have to try and play the game yet again. That's the last time he wore the original shirt! I think that's the answer."

The captain will be in his replica for tomorrow's NWCL Division Two trip to Alsager. Striker Stuart Farnell (Achilles), Stuart Walters (head wound) and Scott Gilchrist (ankle ) are doubts. Kick off is 2pm.

Colne, struggling near the foot of Division Two, have a must win tie at home to bottom club Oldham Town.