AFTER a four goal hit at the weekend, Ramsbottom will be looking to continue their climb up the North West Counties Division One table when they make the trip to Maine Road tonight.

The Rams debutant Chris Willcock scored two in Saturday's game against fifth-placed Mossley -- but the striker and his fellow weekend debutant Matt Holt will both be missing tonight.

"Unfortunately they are away on business, which is blow," said manager Ken Bridge. "They both slotted in well but we'll get on with it.

"Maine Road have a new management team and have some new players including striker Jock Russell, who has been around in the UniBond league. But Maine Road's pitch tends to suit our type of football."

Ramsbottom are currently 11th -- 17 points behind leaders Prescot but have four games in hand. The league is wide open and Bridge think the Rams still have a good chance of making an impact at the top of the table. "Prescot keep getting results but they are involved in a lot of cup competitions so it may give someone a chance to catch them."

David Yorke-Robinson, who missed Saturday's game with knee ligament damage, is also sidelined tonight.

In the UniBond League Cup group stages, Premier Division Accrington Stanley welcome First Division Trafford to the Crown Ground, looking to build on their 3-0 win over Radcliffe in the FA Umbro Trophy at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Accrington have drawn Emley away in the third round of the Trophy on January 13. Chorley's League Cup match at Stalybridge Celtic, scheduled for tonight, has been postponed.

In the Floodlit Trophy second round, Rossendale will look to stretch their unbeaten run to 19 matches tonight but the NWCL Division One side face a tricky tie at Second Division high flyers Blackpool Mechanics. And Bacup Borough welcome NWCL Division One side Skelmersdale in the Marsden Challenge Trophy first round.