Nelson visit Stand on Saturday knowing they must start making these games in hand count to avoid to big a gap developing at the top of the table.

Our cup exertions early doors this season have meant Nelson have only played five league games so far, while some of our rivals have played double that amount.

Padiham are 13 points clear of us having played three games more, while Maine Road and Great Harwood - both hitting form right now - could begin to pull clear if we are not too careful.

Saturday's opponents Stand could themselves move ten points clear of Blues should they claim victory, but a Nelson victory would reduce it to four with five games in hand.

Each of the four teams above are likely to be right there at the end of the season, along with Stone Dominoes and maybe even Ashton Town - under new management - as a surprise package.

So we really need to knuckle down, as after Saturday we have three consecutive home games in the league. A return of twelve points wouldn't go amiss, and a repeat of last season's 1-0 win at Ewood Bridge would start us off just nicely.