BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters has thrown down the gauntlet to Clitheroe counterpart Lee Sculpher by saying: "The onus is on you!"

If Peters is feeling the pressure ahead of their League Challenge Cup quarter final showdown with the Blues, he's keeping it under wraps, even though he is sweating on the fitness of Darren Emmett, Darren Esdaille and Steve Stott.

"Clitheroe are at home, they're on form and they're up there in the league so we've nothing to lose and everything to gain," he said.

"The pressure's on them, especially as they were losing finalists last season and want to go one better this year.

"Their confidence will be high and I've warned my lads that they won't let us settle, so we've got to be prepared to work hard because they will close us down and won't let us play."

Peters knows only too well how tough Clitheroe are to break down after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Blues earlier in the season.

And it's still a sore subject for the Bacup boss.

"I'm not taking anything away from Clitheroe but we gifted them every goal that night," he said.

"We've got a different side now, and this is our only chance to win some silverware this season.

"We're not going to win the league but if we were to finish high enough to get promoted then that would be a great success.

"But this is our only chance to have something to show for our efforts."

Sculpher knows Bacup are likely to provide tougher opposition now they have settled into the North West Counties First Division and boosted their squad with a number of quality signings, like former Chorley pair Emmett and Lee Wilkinson.

But the Blues' player manager believes the game won't be decided on football skills alone.

"I would be surprised if it wasn't a physical game," Sculpher said.

"Sometimes the skill factor goes by the wayside in derbies and I think it could be the side with the best discipline on the day that will win."

He added: "Bacup have strengthened their squad over the last two months with additions from Chorley but we're confident going into every game."

Clitheroe's Glynn Barker is cup tied, Stuart Parkinson is doubtful due to a thigh strain and Andy Cowking is sidelined. However, Russell Clarke is likely to feature after completing a five-week suspension and recovering from injury while Neil Spencer also returns to the squad after making his comeback in the reserves last week.