DARWEN will defend themselves vigorously if they are charged with any offence relating to racial abuse arising from their recent game against Chadderton.

Chadderton accused someone from the Darwen club of making racial comments from the touchline and the FA are looking into the matter.

However, Darwen player-boss Steve Wilkes, who includes two Asian players in his side and played himself in the last meeting between the two clubs, stressed that any possible charge would be contested.

The two sides are due to meet again tomorrow in the First North Western Trains League Second Division when Darwen will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table.

However, one person who won't be disappointed if the game falls victim to the weather will be Darwen goalkeeper Lee Purvis, who is unavailable after playing 98 consecutive games.

CHORLEY'S Ian Leather hopes that a trip to a consultant this week will get to the bottom of a mystery illness which has kept him sidelined for the past six games.

Leather has been suffering from some form of viral infection but manager Ken Wright hopes there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

"If we could have him for the Christmas spell I would be delighted," said Wright, who will also be without Paul Griffin and Eric Rostron for tomorrow's UniBond League First Division game against Ashton United at Victory Park.

A Chorley win would put them level on points with ninth-placed Ashton, with Wright looking to his men to match their impressive away record and complete a double over Gerry Quinn's side. "Our away form is the best in the league, I would have thought. Now we've got to get our home results in order.

"They have picked up recently but if we play to our strengths, we are more than capable of winning," he added.

GREAT HARWOOD TOWN boss Denis Underwood hopes their enforced break from action will galvanise his players for tomorrow's FNWTL Division One clash at mid-table Prescot Cables.

The Reds have had their last two games washed out and have also had their training disrupted by a flooded gym.

But Underwood hopes the lay-off may work to their advantage after disappointing results against Rossendale and Fleetwood in their previous two games.

"They're fit enough so when you've had a couple of bad results, sometimes a rest and being away from people is not a bad thing," said the Town manager.

And the fortnight's inactivity has also allowed Clive Dunn and Neil Kennedy to shake off knocks and for Paul Brown to complete his suspension.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED are also hoping to return to action after a two-match break due to the weather when they travel to struggling Glossop.

Ken Bridge's men have climbed into mid-table with games in hand on the back of a run of just two defeats in 16 league games.

And they will be at near full-strength tomorrow, bar Brendan O'Shaughnessy as he serves the last game of a ban.

Steve Orrell (rib) and Neil Wallace (hamstring) have shaken off injuries to take their place in the squad.

ROSSENDALE UNITED are looking for quick revenge against St Helens Town after losing 1-0 to the second-placed club last weekend. Dale will be without the injured Jon Borland but manager Micky Graham has no other selection worries.

And he's optimistic about putting the record straight to stay in the top six.

"We deserved at least a point last week, and if we had won, I don't think there would have been any complaints.

"We've got a chance to bounce back and hopefully we'll get the points to go towards the second half of the season in a healthy position," said Graham.

NELSON are looking to resume normal service after a run of three defeats in League and Cup when they entertain mid-table Formby in the FNWTL Second Division.

The Blues, beaten just once in the league, are still well placed in the promotion race but player-manager John Bailey is keen to get back to winning ways.

"We haven't had the strongest side out in recent games but we are back to full strength and looking to get back on track," he confirmed.

"We have got a couple of games in hand and it's up to us to win those to stay in the pack."

Les Thompson, Glen Little, Stuart Milligan and Darren Whittaker are all set to return.

BACUP BOROUGH will be loooking to continue their promotion quest with maximum points away to lowly Blackpool Mechanics.

Striker Karl Stanley is unavailable and manager Brent Peters hopes an enforced two-week break from action won't stop his side's momentum.

He said: "It's disappointing when you're on a run that we haven't been able to play. We're looking forward to the game and getting back into it. "It might take a game to get back into our stride, although I'm hoping it won't. We won't take anything for granted but hopefully we will go there and keep the run going."

CLITHEROE have signed prolific striker Steve Denny ahead of their game with table-toppers Vauxhall Motors tomorrow.

Denny has joined the Blues from FNWTL neighbours Cheadle Town and it will be his second spell at Shawbridge.

And manager Steve Parry is delighted with the capture which should hopefully solve his strike problem.

"We've been watching him for a while and we are delighted he's finally decided to join," said Parry.

"We needed one or two things sorting out up front and hopefully this will help."

Brian Welch looks to be out long-term while he waits for a cartilage operation, and Lee Cunliffe is still sidelined with an ankle problem. Barry Hart and Gary Rishton are also struggling with knocks but should be fit to face Motors.

The Blues have won one and lost one in this season's two clashes with the Merseysiders, whose strike partnership of Greg Blundell and Nicky Young is the hottest in the FNWTL Division One.

COLNE, who entertain seventh-placed Squires Gate in a FNWTL Division Two game, will be hoping to pick up three vital points to arrest their recent slide down the league table.

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