COLNE’S new management team will look to continue their impressive start when their side welcome Abbey Hey to the XLCR Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

Steve Pickup and Dixon Lambert have been placed in caretaker charge of the Reds after Nigel Coates stepped down after 10 years in the hotseat.

The experienced Coates, who led the club to the North West Counties League Division Two title in 2004, will remain in the background and give Pickup and Lambert any advice they require.

The duo got their reign off to a flyer on Saturday when Colne ran out 4-0 winners at Alsager Town.

Pickup missed the match due to a previously arranged commitment.

But he will be back alongside Lambert in the dugout against Abbey Hey tonight for what will be their first home game in charge.

Pickup returned to the club earlier this season to work alongside Lambert in the reserves.

The Reds are planning to advertise for a new boss to succeed Coates and a couple of unnamed managers have already thrown their hats into the ring.

But chairman David Blacklock has confirmed the current incumbents will remain in command for the ‘foreseeable future’.

Pickup, who used to play for the Reds, would love the appointments to be made permanent.

He said: “I played here for three-and-a-half seasons before I went to AFC Blackpool.

“But my heart was always at Colne because it is a family club that makes you feel welcome.

“I came back about four or five weeks ago to work with Dixon in the reserves but the long-term ambition was to work with the first team.

“It’s come about a little bit quicker than expected but we’d love to be here for the long term.”

Pickup and Lambert have signed Matt Duerden from the local leagues as well as putting seven days notice in on Padiham’s Ted Cockett.

But Pickup insists before any signings are made, he and Lambert will look to see if a player from the reserves is good enough to make the step up to the first team.

Left-back Alex Grice did just that on Saturday and he was one of the Reds’ best players in the comfortable victory over Alsager.

Bacup & Rossendale Borough are also in North West Counties League Premier Division action tonight.

The Borough host table-topping Maine Road (8pm).