DEFENDER Paul Fleming returns for Chorley tomorrow, boosting their chances of overhauling a two-goal deficit in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg against Macclesfield at Victory Park.

Manager Dave Sutton rates Fleming the best full back in non-league football and his comeback from a hamstring injury will give the Magpies more options in other areas of the field.

"It's a huge lift for us because he's the best full back in non-league," said Sutton.

"And that's not only at our level but Conference level as well.

"I was struggling a bit last Saturday because I couldn't change things around.

"I had to play Steve Hook wide on the left although, from that position, he scored a goal.

"Also I'll be able to push Dave McKearney forward a bit more.

"We'll be in better condition tomorrow than we were at their place."

Sutton's sole worry is over captain Dean Emerson who has a slight ankle problem but he should be fit to play a characteristically influential and aggressive role.

The fighting qualities extolled by their captain have taken Chorley to this stage in the competition.

And Sutton insists that the Magpies, 3-1 down after the first leg, will not go down without a fight tomorrow.

"We've got to beat a side 2-0 at home which is certainly not beyond us," he said.

"For 75 cent of the game last Saturday we were the better side - even though we didn't play as well as we could - and it was very disappointing that they scored two late goals. I thought during that period they were panicking a bit.

"It was a silly own goal by Andy Thorpe that got them back in the game because they'd gone. But we've got a lot of confidence out of that game and also the game against Gateshead in the quarter final where we beat them 3-1 which is what we need tomorrow.

"We're going to go out all hell for leather and have a go at them.

"Phil Power, the former Chorley lad who plays for England, is one of their better players and the left winger Tony Hemmings is also dangerous.

"But Dave McKearney did a really good job on him last week.

"I'll be glad just to beat them just to show everybody how far we've come.

"I think we all feel we can turn them over."

Striker Brian Ross is typical of the positive attitude being carried into tomorrow's big game by the Chorley players.

Though he failed to get on the scoresheet last weekend, the Magpies' leading scorer is confident of putting that right tomorrow.

And he is adamant that all is not lost with a full 90 minutes left to play.

"We've definitely left ourselves with something to do but if we score an early goal we're right back in it," he said.

About three thousand fans are expected at Victory Park tomorrow, by far Chorley's largest attendance since their Conference days.

If they do pull off a victory against the odds it will be their biggest since defeating Wimbledon in this same competition 20 years ago.

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