CHORLEY caretaker boss Jim McCluskie has a score to settle when the Magpies take on Accrington Stanley in a UniBond League Challenge Cup third round replay at the Crown tonight.

McCluskie was sacked after a similar spell as Stanley caretaker last season but a win tonight would boost his chances of being appointed Chorley boss on a permanent basis.

The former Morecambe striker may have to name himself in the starting line up as strikers Tony Black and Dave Gray are both ineligible.

Meanwhile, Stanley boss Wayne Harrison believes he will have a job to keep his players' feet on the ground after they won only their second league game in 18 attempts at Blyth at the weekend.

But he also has selection problems with Ged Walsh, Aidan Warder and latest signing Paul Lynch all cup-tied.

"Saturday's win was a great boost but I've had too much experience to get carried away by it," said Harrison, who is close to signing an experienced centre half. The game starts at 7.30pm.

Great Harwood Town continue their relegation scrap when they entertain Trafford at The Showground (kick off 7.30pm).

Rossendale United take on Darwen in the last eight of the North Western Trains League Floodlit Trophy (7.45pm).

And Bacup Borough entertain basement outfit Blackpool Mechanics in the NWTL Second Division (7.45pm).

Darwen have been handed a plumb tie away at Nationwide Conference outfit Southport in the semi finals of the Lancashire ATS Challenge Trophy.

Delighted manager Steve Wilkes said: "It's a great tie for me because I played there for 12 months and a had a brilliant time. They are near the bottom of the Conference and their confidence must be low so we'll be going there to enjoy it and try and make a bit of money out of it."

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