Accrington Stanley must win eight of their last 13 matches if they want to survive.

That's the target being set by manager Wayne Harrison as the fast-improving Reds prepare to face championship contenders Gateshead at the International Stadium tomorrow.

"It's a tall order but the players have got to believe they can do it because I certainly do," said Harrison.

A morale-boosting 2-0 cup victory over relegation rivals Chorley in midweek provided further evidence that Harrison is starting to turn things round.

But they will have their work cut out repeating that against a Gateshead side regarded by the Reds boss as the classiest outfit in the league.

"We must stop them from playing.

"We'll have to win the battles and then try and take the game to them."

New signing Paul Bottomley is expected to make his debut while Paul Lynch, Ian Harold, Aidan Warder and Ged Walsh come back into the squad after being cup-tied in midweek.

But striker Paul Heavey faces a month on the sidelines after injuring a vertebra in his back.

CHORLEY officials will delay naming their new manager until after tomorrow's crucial home clash with Blyth Spartans. The board interviewed two candidates for the job on Wednesday and are due to meet another two tonight as they seek to make a permanent appointment to replace Bryan Griffiths. Ex-Winsford chief Dalton Steele remains favourite for the post but caretaker boss Jim McCluskie will do his cause no harm if he can mastermind another three point haul following on from last weekend's 4-3 win at Hyde United.

Last week's two-goal hero Tony Black and new signing Paul Jones return to the squad after being cup-tied for the 2-0 UniBond League Challenge Trophy defeat at Accrington Stanley in midweek.

GREAT HARWOOD are refusing to throw in the towel despite looking doomed to relegation after two crushing defeats in the space of four days.

The Reds are now 14 points from safety with just 15 games remaining and have yet to win under new manager Denis Underwood.

But the Harwood chief insists his men are not ready to give up the fight as they prepare for the visit of sixth-placed Eastwood Town.

"We've performed a lot better in our last two games despite the results and that has been encouraging," said Underwood.

"The players response has been very good and they haven't let their heads go down so none of us are throwing in the towel just yet.

"We've just got to concentrate on the positive aspects of our game." Underwood reports no injury problems but Paul Whalley will be missing through suspension.

ROSSENDALE UNITED boss Micky Graham is hoping his side can build on a midweek Floodlit Trophy performance which saw them triumph over Darwen when Atherton Collieries visit Dark Lane tomorrow.

Dale - whose celebrations were short-lived when the NWTL threw them out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player - have slipped down the NWTL First Division table after forcing their way into the top 10 before Christmas. But a win over third-bottom Colls could catapult them back into mid-table.

"I told the lads a few home truths before the Darwen game and it was good to see them respond with a much more solid performance," said Graham.

"That's the kind of commitment I want from now until the end of the season."

Jason Heffernan returns to the squad but Steve Carling is doubtful due to work commitments.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED could be without defenders Carl Trimble and Marc Maddocks for their trip to Cheadle Town.

Trimble and new signing Maddocks are both struggling to shake off knocks as United prepare to face a side they have already beaten in the FA Vase this season.

But the Cheshire side have turned in some improved displays more recently, including a rare 2-0 victory over league-leaders Newcastle Town.

DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes will ring the changes for the Anchormen's trip to Warrington Town.

Wilkes was fuming after his side flopped in their NWTL Floodlit Trophy quarter final against Rossendale United in midweek and he has promised to ruthlessly wield the axe. "There will be three or four changes without a shadow of a doubt. I'm still annoyed because we missed out on a great opportunity to get to another semi final.

"The players showed a lack of pride in their own performance and they let themselves down very badly.

"One or two could find they are playing in the reserves tomorrow."

Phil Rose, Jimmy Khan, Paul Baker and Wilkes himself are all set to come into the starting line up.

BACUP BOROUGH boss Brent Peters is still searching for consistency from his side as they prepare for a trip to Castleton Gabriels.

Peters' frustration was summed up this week when Borough failed to take maximum points off struggling Blackpool Mechanics just three days after beating seventh-placed Tetley Walker.

"If we want to be a force to be reckoned with then we need players who are going to perform consistently," said Peters.

"We had a chance to kill the game off against Blackpool and we didn't take it."

Dave Mycock and Paul Lyons are both likely absentees for the Gabriels clash but Neil Rowbotham should be back after missing out in midweek.

COLNE, whose scheduled NWTL Division Two home game against Abbey Hey was last night postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, have released duo Frank Smith and Wayne Richardson ahead of the Reds game at Daisy Hill tomorrow.

Manager Denzil Hart told Richardson and Smith that they no longer figured in his plans. "They weren't prepared to put up a fight to get into the team, so I've let them go," said Hart.

"It might give some of the younger lads at the club their chance."

Shaun Giblin should be fit to return against Daisy Hill but Barry White is ruled out through suspension.

NELSON chief John Bailey is calling for maximum effort from his players for the remainder of the season starting with their home game against lowly Oldham Town.

The Blues unbeaten run in 1999 came shuddering to a halt at Woodley Sports last weekend so Bailey wants to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

"We slipped up against Woodley because all of the other teams around us all dropped points and we didn't take advantage," said Bailey.

"I'll be asking the lads for maximum effort from now until the end of the season."

Andy Haworth, Glen Little, and Dave Leigh are all available again tomorrow but Kieron Roberts (work commitments) and Johnny Naylor (suspended) are out.

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