Chorley manager Gerry Luczka, has pleaded for patience in his bid to rebuild the Magpies who are languishing at the bottom of the UniBond First Division.

Speaking before Tuesday night's home match against Skelmersdale United, he said: "Because of our cash-strapped state, finding players who are willing and able to help us is really difficult.

"My assistant Kenny Mayers and I knew it was never going to be easy when we came here. But the potential for success is tremendous.

"Rebuilding a club can't be done overnight.

"It's bound to take time, but trust me Kenny and I will do everything we can to restore Chorley to their rightful place as a power in non-league football.

"The end of our goal drought took a long time coming and it was gratifying to find the net three times at Goole our highest score of the season.

"Three goals should be enough to win any match, so it was our own fault that we slumped to yet another defeat.

"Chorley's defending was shambolic but it was not just down to the back four.

"We didn't defend in the middle of the park and with loss of possession upfield we were caught out far too many times.

"As a team we didn't defend well."

Luczka didn't use the goalkeeping inury hoodoo striking again as an excuse, this time with the loss of Mark Thornley through a hamstring injury that could keep him out for some time.

"We are indebted to a keeper with Mark's long experience for helping us out and we look forward to his return.

"In fact, after Mark had gone off Ian Callaghan kept a clean sheet for the remaining 35 minutes."

The Magpies manager was intending to call in keeper Mark Canning, who stood in at Bradford two weeks ago, to face Skelmersdale along with two loan signings from Altrincham, Colin Potts, a former Chorley forward who needs no introduction, and Rod Thornley, whose brother Ben played for Manchester United.

Defender Sean Wright, who came here from Skelmersdale in September, is fit again after an ankle injury had threatened to keep him out long term.

Martin Clark, who strained a calf in the Lancashire FA Trophy 4-0 defeat at Clitheroe a week ago, had only a 50-50 chance of returning to action last night, but he hopes to be back for Saturday's visit of new boys Cammell Laird, who are chasing a third successive promotion, having come up through the North West Counties League.