NELSON skipper Duncan Spencer has vowed his team won't give up their Transco Lancashire League title without a fight as they prepare to face Bacup tomorrow.

The Seedhill club, who are chasing a third successive League title, saw their hopes suffer a serious setback last weekend after they were beaten by both Todmorden and Lowerhouse.

But, as they prepare to face the might of Australian Test ace Adam Dale at Lanehead, Spencer insists the hat-trick is still on.

"Last weekend was terrible but there's no way we'll give it up," said Spencer.

"As a team we've been doing okay without Keith Arthurton really performing to the level we know he can.

"He's struggled a bit of late but that's not through lack of trying.

"So we are just hoping for a few runs off him in the next few weeks so we can get ourselves back on track.

"I know we have played a game more than Colne and we are 14 points behind.

"But all it needs is for us to string a few wins together and we'll be right back in there.

"And if we can get ourselves within striking distance come the middle of August then we've still got a chance."

Tomorrow's trip to Bacup is likely to put those title credentials firmly to the test.

And Spencer is not underestimating the threat posed by pace-ace Dale.

"I've got a lot of respect for Adam Dale," said Spencer.

"I've faced a lot of quick bowlers in my time but he's a guy who can swing it both ways and move it both ways which makes him a real handful. "It's not so much his pace which is the problem it's the fact you don't know what he's going to bowl next.

"And I know Keith Arthurton speaks very highly of him so it's going to be a tough game."

Spencer is looking for a good performance from his side to help wipe out the memory of last weekend.

His side's defeat against Lowerhouse left a particularly bitter taste after the game was controversially decided on run-rate.

And Spencer is calling for umpires to take a tougher stance.

"It was ridiculous, really," said Spencer.

"I thought we got beat by the umpires, to be honest.

"It poured down after 29 overs but then they decided to get another over in.

"We never got back on after that and lost the game on run-rate.

"But it actually rained harder when we were on the pitch than when we were off it.

"I've mentioned it in my report but it will probably fall on deaf ears.

"I just think umpires need to be stronger and fairer to both teams."

Tomorrow's fixtures: Bacup v Nelson, Church v Rawtenstall, Colne v East Lancs, Enfield v Burnley, Haslingden v Accrington, Lowerhouse v Ramsbottom, Rishton v Todmorden.