CLITHEROE boss Paul Moore has set his men a target of eight wins from their final 15 games as he bids to lead the Blues into the Evo-Stik League First Division North play-offs.

Moore’s men have recovered from a poor run of form and last Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win at Bamber Bridge took the Blues to 48 points from their 27 games so far.

And the manager is hoping they can stay on track between now and the end of April.

“We had three defeats on the bounce at home which is really poor but the lads have worked well to show what they could do – and they did that last Saturday,” said Moore.

“To be honest, some of them have not worked as hard as we would have liked and if we had put in the performances like we did last Saturday over the last few weeks we could have been sitting in second place – but football is weird.

“Other results have been going for us and now we want to kick on. Last week was one win chalked off and now we have 15 games left.

“There’s 48 points on the board and 75 is the target for us.

“I am not counting my chickens but I believe that we can kick.”

The Blues host Salford City tomorrow.

Ramsbottom United needed a half-time lecture from co-bosses Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley to inspire them to fight back to draw with Bamber Bridge in midweek and they will look to push on tomorrow when Harrogate Railway visit the Riverside, while Chorley bid to recover from their 6-1 trouncing at the hands of Rushall Olympic when they make the trip to Frickley Athletic.

Meanwhile, the Magpies have released midfielder Simon Garner after coming to a mutual agreement with the son of former Clitheroe chairman Carl Garner.

Garner moved to Victory Park from FC Halifax Town in the summer – but has struggled to hold down a place in Garry Flitcroft’s team.

There is a big game in the North West Counties League Challenge Cup third round as Premier League Bacup Borough host First Division leaders AFC Darwen.

Bacup are the holders of the trophy and are aiming for more cup glory after reaching the final of the United Co-Operatives Lancashire Challenge Trophy.

Padiham take a break from their Premier Division title challenge when they welcome AFC Blackpool to the Arbories, while Barnoldswick Town play host to Formby at the Silentnight Stadium.

In the Premier Division Colne face Runcorn Town at the XLCR Stadium and will go third with a win, while Nelson boss Mark Fell wants his Admirals to go back to basics in the First Division following a 5-1 hammering at Abbey Hey in midweek.

They face Atherton Collieries in a game that kicks off at 2pm because of ongoing floodlight work.