NIGEL Coates is brimming with confidence after Colne pulled off a cup shock against a side three divisions above them on Tuesday.

The North West Counties Division Two leaders won 4-2 at Southport in the first round of the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy.

"It was no fluke, we footballed them off the park," said manager Coates.

"It wasn't the result, it was the performance, considering they finished with eight of the team that played Hucknall the Saturday before. It wasn't as if they had a reserve side out.

"When we were 2-0 up I was confident we would win because it wasn't backs to the wall stuff, we were on the front foot.

"We have a lot of good footballers in the side but we play on some poor pitches. But Southport's surface is top class and helped us a lot."

Things will be different when Colne return to league action tomorrow, however, with a visit to Castleton Gabriels (2pm).

Coates added: "I know Castleton's pitch is poor but it's a question of adapting to the conditions and doing the right things in the right areas."

Craig Whittaker is doubtful for tomorrow because of work commitments and will be unavailable for most of December.

It leaves Coates having to scour around for a replacement to add to his most recent signing, Bernard Morley, from Atherton Collieries.

Gary Rishton is also rated 50-50 for the game at Castleton and Chris Ingham is still not fit.