BACUP manager Brent Peters says his remarks regarding the NWCL Division Two title race have been taken 'out of context'.

Copies of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph have been doing the rounds of the Padiham dressing room after Peters said it was his side and Stone - not the Storks - who would be promoted.

But Peters said: "I was asked before a ball was kicked who would be challenging and I felt it was us and Stone and I have seen nothing to change my mind over that.

"They are up there with games in hand so my prediction that they would challenge was obviously correct.

"My comments have been taken out of context. Padiham are also in a promotion position and I think they will sustain their challenge. They've added two good players to the squad and they've been up there since the start of the season. I hope they do get promoted."

Bacup were beaten 1-0 by Padiham on Wednesday and the Storks leapfrogged their rivals into top spot.

Peters said: "They deserved what they got.

"We have quality but the quality didn't come out. There were too many long balls from us and that disappointed me. If we had played the way we can they wouldn't have lived with us.

"It is disappointing that on the day when all players needed to be on top form, too many had an off day.

"Things could all change again tomorrow, we could easily beat Cheadle and they get a point against Maine Road."

Peters will be presented with his manager of the month award for January - his second of the season - before tomorrow's match.