CHORLEY need six points from their next three games to stand any chance of making the UniBond First Division play-offs.

And Magpies manager Mark Molyneaux admits they will only have themselves to blame if they fail to extend their season.

But they must overcome their North East hoodoo when they take on Spennymoor United tomorrow if they are to make any progress.

"This is a massive week for us with Spennymoor, then Stocksbridge and Alfreton Town," Molyneaux said.

"The North East isn't the best place for us so that's got to change.

"Spennymoor are a strong, physical side but when they came to our place they opened up like I've never seen a team open up before.

"They seem to go for the juggular in the first 25 minutes and try to win the game in that time. But if we can prevent them from going ahead we've always got a chance as they seem to falter later on.

"That's when decent sides have scored goals against them but they have destroyed weaker sides early in the game and managed to hold on.

"Hopefully it will be a nice day out for the players and fans who are travelling up with us on the coach.

"We'll have a full breakfast on the way up - except the players - and, if we win, have champagne on the way back."

Central midfielder Joe Murray has suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury which has already had him sidelined for two weeks, Lee Southward was hoping to recover from a hamstring injury while Phil Bayliss had received intensive treatment on an ankle knock.

Molyneaux added: "The next week will be a big test for us to see how far we've come.

"We picked up what was a good point in the end at Witton Albion because it was a game they probably deserved to win after creating the better chances.

"So it was a nice change for us to get a late equaliser instead of conceding late.

"By 5pm next Saturday, we will have a better idea of whether we can make the play-offs or not.

"It will be a big test for us but we will be able to see how far we're going as a team."