RADCLIFFE Boro's highly rated full back Rick Battersby faces the frustration of sitting out tomorrow's Unibond Division One trip to Trafford.

The young defender is currently serving out a three match ban which would have been over in midweek had the Tuesday night home clash with Kendal Town not been postponed due to waterlogging on the Stainton Park pitch.

Boro go into tomorrow's derby clash in second place in the table three points ahead of the four clubs realistically contending the remaining promotion race behind clear leaders Harrogate Town.

Of that quartet all face difficult games tomorrow with third placed Eastwood on a daunting away trip to the title favourites, Ossett Town are in a Yorkshire derby at Stocksbridge, Leek Town go to struggling Belper whilst Rossendale United travel to Ashton United.

The clear message for Boro is any positive result at mid-table Trafford could carry the bonus of others losing ground.

In the NWCL Division One Atherton Colls entertain second in the table St Helens Town whose manager Jimmy McBride sensationally resigned his post last weekend after a 2-1 home defeat by bottom of the table Flixton.

The Knowsley Road club have Chris Quirke in temporary charge of team matters whilst applications are sought for a permanent replacement. Ramsbottom United travel to that transformed Flixton side who are currently the anomaly of the Division One listing.

Still trailing at the bottom four points adrift of next up Maine Road Dalton Steele's return to takeover the managerial reins has seen nine points picked up from four games, the best form in the division.

Atherton LR have signed midfielder Gary Trewitt from Bootle in time for the trip to Newcastle Town. Daisy Hill have a new man in charge for the away Division Two trip to Formby after Joe Paladino took over from Terry Gaskell in midweek.

The giant goalkeeper who is also a well known name in amateur boxing circuits had joined the club on the coaching staff but still with the intention of playing.

Work commitments forced Gaskell to stand down and when asked Paladino has jumped at the opportunity to try his hand at management.