Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley wants his players to bounce back against high flying Northwich Victoria at the Brewery Field on Saturday.

Moors’ seven game unbeaten run in the league came to a dismal end at Scarborough last Saturday, but Ainsley is backing his players to return to winning ways and recommence their play off challenge.

“The game is a great opportunity to close in on the play off places against a team who are flying high,” he said. “Northwich are a very big side so we need to be organised from set plays and not give silly free kicks away in areas which could hurt us. At home we have been very strong of late and if we play to our full potential we should be ok.”

Moors are without striker Chris Lynch, who is out because of injury for six weeks, while central defender Joe Tait will have a fitness test after suffering from shin splints. Defender Steve Capper returns to the squad after a break.

Moors gave an outing in midweek to 32 year old Sunderland born midfielder Jamie Clarke, who was a pro at Mansfield, Boston, Rochdale and Grimsby, and until recently was coaching in Thailand. “Jamie is undecided on what he is going to do, whether to go back over to Thailand or move back home, so Tuesday was an ideal opportunity to give him a run out, which he thoroughly enjoyed and played very well. We have left it with him to make a decision before we go any further.”

Northwich are currently second in the table and are enjoying a six game unbeaten run under former Stockport boss Jim Gannon, but they were a distinct second best when Moors beat them 4-1 earlier in the season in one of Moors’ best performances.