COLNE midfielder Michael Morrison will be out of action for six months as a result of the broken leg he suffered in midweek – but his team-mates will try to lift the mood around the XLCR Stadium tomorrow and get back on the promotion track when they face AFC Liverpool.

The 28-year-old was hospitalised on Tuesday after being hurt in a 50/50 challenge with Barnoldswick’s Mark Threlfall and to add to Colne’s woe, Reds’ old boy Threlfall went on to score a last-gasp goal to seal a 1-0 North West Counties League Premier Division win.

Threlfall says he is gutted about Morrison’s injury, which caused a 24-minute hold up to the derby, and admitted Tuesday gave him both the highs and lows of the game.

“Returning to your old club to score a 90th minute winner was a definite high,” said Threlfall.

“But the lowest moment I’ve had on a football pitch was when I was on the ground next to Michael after the 50/50 tackle and he said ‘I’ve broken my leg’. I would never wish that upon anyone and would never go out to hurt anyone intentionally.”

The defeat – Colne’s second on the spin – saw them drop down to seventh spot in a tight top flight table and the Reds are eager to get back to winning ways when they welcome the Merseysiders to Pendle.

A win could see Nigel Coates men climb into third depending on other results but they face plenty of local opposition at the top end with Padiham third and Barnoldswick sixth.

Padiham are at lowly St Helens Town tomorrow, while there should be a cracking atmosphere at the Silentnight Stadium as Barlick host well-supported Glossop North End.

Cup kings Bacup got back to winning ways in the league at Blackpool on Tuesday and will look to climb further away from the drop zone when they host Ashton Athletic, while in the First Division Nelson bid to follow up Tuesday’s draw at Rochdale Town with three points at Formby.

AFC Darwen are still at the top of the table, three points ahead of Abbey Hey, and a win over Oldham Boro is crucial for Kenny Langford’s men. Hey have two games in hand on the Salmoners and Langford is determined to see his men hit their straps as they chase promotion.

“Our league performances over the last couple of games have not been brilliant but we have grinded out results and that’s what good teams do,” he said.

In the Evo-Stik League Premier Division Chorley bid for back-to-back wins when they travel to Buxton, while in the First Division North both Ramsbottom United and Clitheroe aim to stay on the play-off course.

The Rams welcome Goole to The Riverside, while Clitheroe travel to Burscough.