ACCRINGTON STANLEY boss John Coleman is urging his players to put the disappointments of midweek behind them as they prepare for a trip to Belper Town tomorrow.

The Reds crashed out of the FA Umbro Trophy on Tuesday night following a shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Spalding United.

But although that came as a hammer blow, Coleman insists Stanley can't afford to dwell on it.

"Obviously, we were very disappointed in midweek but there's no point sulking," said Coleman.

"We had enough chances to have won the game.

"But we've got to put that out of our minds now and concentrate on tomorrow.

"And it should suit us playing Belper because they are a team who like to play football and that might give us a bit of space."

Brett Baxter will miss the clash, however, after dislocating his jaw and he may be out for a couple of weeks.

CHORLEY boss Ken Wright has a host of injury problems ahead of his side's visit to bottom-of-the-table Whitley Bay. Eric Rostron and Ian Leather are definitely out while Paul Fleming, Ian Gibson and Paul Griffin are also struggling to shake off knocks.

Neil Mitchell and Ian Barker have also been suffering from 'flu so Wright will conduct a head count before naming his side.

Bay have only won three all season which has left them anchored at the bottom for most of the campaign.

But Wright is still wary of the threat they pose.

"They've obviously been struggling but I don't want it to be us who trigger a possible revival for them."

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED will be looking for all three points when they entertain Maine Road.

Midfield man Karl Brown is doubtful after picking up a rib injury in midweek.

But United should be boosted by the return of defensive quartet Neil Wallace, Danny Goodall, Martin Hulme and Carl Trimble.

"We have lost some ground in recent weeks because of the number of cup games we have been involved in so it is important we get three points," said secretary John Maher.

GREAT HARWOOD take on Prescot at the Showground and manager Denis Underwood is aware that they will be a threat.

"They have Billy O'Callaghan up front along with Peter Cumiskey, who always features among the league's top scorers," said Underwood.

"So I'm surprised they are not better placed in the table."

But Underwood's main concern is with his own forwards.

"We haven't been taking our chances in recent matches but we haven't been playing too badly."

Midfield man Paul Brown is suspended, while Clive Dunn is a doubt. Warren Peake should return after recovering from a bout of 'flu.

NELSON player-boss John Bailey looks set to miss their FNWTL Second Division cup quarter-final clash with Bacup Borough. Bailey has a back injury, while Stuart Mulligan and Darren Whittaker are ruled out because of work commitments. Les Thompson and Glen Little return to the Nelson squad.

"It looks like conditions will be similar to two years ago when we beat them there in the semi-final on our way to winning the competition," said Bailey.

"It was wet and wild then, too."

He added: "We know it will be a tough match.

"We beat them early in the season but they have been on a very good run since then."

BACUP BOROUGH boss Brent Peters is also anticipating it to be a real heavyweight clash.

And he is well aware of the great work John Bailey has done in transforming Nelson into genuine title-contenders.

"They've had a couple of set-backs recently but I'll be reminding my players that Nelson were the last team to beat us in the league," said Peters.

"John Bailey has done an excellent job there this year.

"He's signed some quality players and they are a good all-round side.

"But they'll see a different Bacup to the team they beat earlier in the season. And that makes for one heck of a cup game, especially with a semi final place at stake."

DARWEN can strengthen their grip at the top of the FNWTL Second Division if they can beat bogey side Woodley Sports at The Anchor.

The two sides have already met three times so far this season and Woodley have won all three.

But player-boss Steve Wilkes still believes his side are the better team. "We've played well against them for two-and-a-half games but haven't had much luck," said Wilkes.

"We just need to believe in ourselves a bit more and believe that we can beat them."

Midfield maestro Derek Hall is likely to pose the biggest threat to The Anchormen, so Michael Douglas may again be asked to do a man-marking job.

ROSSENDALE UNITED travel to fellow promotion rivals St Helens for the first of two meetings within a matter of days.

And that could rise to three if the two sides also clash in the Floodlit Cup.

At the half-way stage of the league programme both sides are very much in with a shout of promotion, providing they can find a consistent streak.

And many of their rivals are in FA Vase action this weekend.

Midfield man John Borland is expected to have recovered from a hamstring injury and Craig Sargeson is again available after spending a week on trial with Sheffield Wednesday.

Jerome Fitzgerald, who has had a back problem, was back in training last night and is likely to be given a run-out for the reserves.

COLNE have the chance to erase memories of last weekend's 3-0 defeat against neighbours Bacup when Daisy Hill are the visitors to Holt House tomorrow.

Hill have only won two all season and are currently stuck in the bottom three.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.