It is well documented that 'Bury have lost many of the players which helped their firsts to third place in Division One last season.

However, Sharples said the main reason they had forefeited the second team cup game was because three players got injured last Saturday.

Sharples was one of them, sustaining a knee injury in the field at Luddenden Foot which prevented him from batting and could keep him out for two to three weeks.

Veejay Jabbad and Kevin Oldham, who suffered a broken ankle, were also injured six days ago and Sharples said: "We could probably have put out eight or nine men, including four of five under 15s, but King Cross are a top section outfit at second team level and there was safety to consider."

Sharples said numerous phone calls on Sunday morning to club members had been in vain and Queensbury had written a letter of apology to the league and expected to be fined and have to pay King Cross's expenses.

Looking ahead, however, Sharples said: "We should have no problems fielding three sides this weekend.

"We have 40 to 45 players registered and the work we have put into building up our junior section is starting to bear fruit.

"Our problem is not numbers but the quality of players. There isn't a club I know that could lose nine first teamers and expect to play to the same level."