CLITHEROE boss Paul Moore admits he was glad to see the end of December after his men suffered the blues in their title bid at the business end of the Evo-Stik League First Division North.

The Shawbridge side were beaten by Cammell Laird and Harrogate Railway before a 3-1 loss to Ramsbottom on Boxing Day – but Moore was delighted to end a run of three defeats in four games with a 2-2 draw at Lancaster on New Year’s Day.

And now he is aiming for a run of results, starting tomorrow when Radcliffe Borough arrive in the Ribble Valley.

“I am happy that December has finished,” said Moore. “After losing at Cammell Laird to a last minute goal we were hurt and at Harrogate we were dreadful and that’s hard to take and then we lost to Ramsbottom, it was a tough month.

“I was really pleased with the point we got at Lancaster, especially after losing my right back, left back and a midfielder to injury early in the game and we have got our battling spirit back.

“I said to the lads that we had to start this year well and this month we want to get as many points as we can to push on ahead of February and March.

“We have some good games to come and hopefully we can kick on.”

Ramsbottom have a good looking game with Bamber Bridge at Irongate, while in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division Chorley boss Garry Flitcroft wants his men to follow up the New Year’s Day 4-1 romp at Kendal when they travel to Hednesford Town.

The game at Keys Park is a real test of the Magpies, who got back to form at Parkside Road as they came from a goal down to score four times in 14 minutes.

Flitcroft has added striker Sean Breen to his squad. Breen was at Morecambe last season and scored on a regular basis for their reserves but was released at the end of the campaign.

North West Counties League sides are maintaining a weather watch ahead of their games after another week of rain but Padiham hope to maintain a run that led to Steve Wilkes winning the Premier Division manager of the month award for December.

The Storks welcome AFC Liverpool to The Arbories.

Bacup Borough host Bootle at West View, while Colne head to St Helens and Barnoldswick Town travel to Stockport Sports.

In the First Division AFC Darwen welcome Northwich Villa to the Anchor Ground and Nelson go to Alder House for agame with Atherton Collieries.