Spennymoor face their toughest test of the season so far when they take on second placed Harrogate Town at the Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon.

Moors have overcome virtually all of the hurdles put in their way so far in their debut season in the National League North, and manager Jason Ainsley admits that he’s pinching himself ahead of what is being billed as the game of the day in the division, with Moors currently in fourth place, two places and six points behind Harrogate.

“It’s not so long ago that we played them in a pre season friendly, and we were in the Northern League,” he said.

“We’ve come a long way since then, and to be playing them on level terms now in what is being called the game of the day in this division is quite amazing.

“We have to give ourselves a pat on the back for getting into the position that we’re in, and now we’ve got a fighting chance of beating a team that is going for automatic promotion.

“But as we’ve said before in these situations, we’re under no illusions about the task that we’re facing. They’re a very good team that is unbeaten away, and earlier in the season scored five away from home at Telford, and four at Southport.

“We must continue to get points on the board, because sooner or later we will lose matches, and slip down the table. This is the sort of league in which anybody can beat anybody else – and that is the sort of situation that gives us plenty of optimism for today. We have given many teams a good game this season and pulled off some great results.”

Midfielder Shane Henry and defender Chris Chantler will both have fitness tests, otherwise Moors will be at full strength.

Harrogate are currently second in the table, and challenging for the league leadership with Salford City. This week they signed striker Mark Beck from Darlington, but he won’t be fit enough to play.