ACCRINGTON STANLEY midfielder Simon Carden wants to get in on the goalscoring act with free-scoring forwards Paul Mullin and Lutel James.

James and Mullin have scored 25 goals between them this season but Carden, who bagged an impressive 18 last season, only has three to his name for the current campaign.

The 22-year-old wants to get on the scoresheet more.

"I would like to score more," said the Stretford born player, who signed from Radcliffe Borough 12 months ago.

"I got 18 last season and I am always looking to hit the net but I just haven't been putting them away this season.

"I don't mind though really, as long as someone is getting them and we are winning."

The signing of former Bury striker Lutel James has given the side more options up front.

"Paul is quite a big lad and Lutel is very quick, he has that pace so you can knock it behind and let him run on, he allows us to play a bit differently."

Stanley take a break from UniBond Premier League action tonight when they welcome Burscough to the Crown Ground in the UniBond League Cup, a match Carden is suspended for.

Chairman Eric Whalley has made no secret of his wish to take the UniBond Premier League side into the Conference this season but the players also want to do well in the cup competitions.

"Players do go out to win every game and everyone likes to get to a cup final," continued Carden. "And hopefully this game will give us a chance to bounce back from the Burton Albion result and get a win under our belts before Saturday's game at home to Bishop Auckland."

Saturday's 3-1 defeat to the Premier leaders was Stanley's sixth league loss of the season but Carden says there was not that much difference between the two sides.

"They were a bright side and they made us work hard. They got two goals towards the end but there was not much between the two sides.

"Some of the results have been disappointing this season but we have been playing quite a bit better in the last month or so, the team seems to have picked up.

"We are not conceding as many goals as we were."

Tonight's game against Burscough, also a Premier Division side, may stir some old rivalries, says Carden. "We played them last season and they're a tough team. They have a few scousers in their side and there are a few at Accrington so that always makes it interesting."

Also in action tonight are Darwen who travel to Alsager in NWCL Division Two, much to the dismay of manager Steve Wilkes.

"It is ridiculous that the league has us playing down there in midweek, it creates a lot of problems for us," he complained. "There are plenty of teams that are closer to Alsager than we are and we have also got a lot of teams easier to get to for us.

"We are going to have to try and get down the M6 in time for kick off, which is a nightmare, and also it means my lads having to get time off work."

Darwen were not in action at the weekend as their clash with Daisy Hill was a victim of the weather. That postponement allowed Mark Heys and Andy Walsh a few extra days to get back to full fitness after struggling with hamstring and Achilles' problems respectively.

And Colne, who have had a great start to the season, will look to make it five wins on the bounce when they welcome Chadderton to Holt House, weather permitting.