Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley is trying to manage expectations as his side prepare for the home league game with Nuneaton on Saturday.

Moors are flying as they prepare for a hectic schedule over the next few weeks which includes a Trophy quarter final against Bromley and several midweek games, and Ainsley is anxious that nobody gets carried away with over two months of the season left.

“This will be a very tough game today. We played Nuneaton when their manager took over from Tommy Wright after his departure for Darlington, and we won 1-0. We came away wondering how they were a team that was near the bottom of the table. They were a very good footballing side who created quite a few chances against us.

“They’ve had some good results since, and only recently beat FC United. I’ve said all the way throughout this season that this league is so unpredictable and so relentless.

“Teams at the bottom can beat teams near the top and climb the table, we’ve seen that happen in recent weeks, look how Boston United have climbed the table.

“So, if anyone thinks that we will have an easy three points today because we’re in seventh place and they’re fifth from bottom, is sadly mistaken.

“I think we had our wake-up call in the first game against Thurrock when we were below our best and managed to draw. We showed what we’re capable of in the second leg down there – if you take your foot off the pedal then you’re likely to become a cropper.”

Midfielder Jamie Chandler is suspended and misses today’s game because of his dismissal against East Thurrock, while David Foley and Mark Anderson will probably return after recovering from injury. Midfielder Nathan Lowe, signed a fortnight ago on loan from Southport, is also included in the squad.

The return of those two is quite timely, as Moors are facing a busy schedule. After today, they have a home game against Telford on Tuesday, and on Saturday they travel to Bromley for their Trophy quarter final.

Because of their Trophy matches and bad weather, Moors have been overtaken by Blyth and have dropped to seventh place in the table, although they have two games in hand on each of the clubs above them.

Nuneaton are currently fifth from bottom with just two away wins all season, but they have just signed striker Andre Wright from Kidderminster.

Meanwhile, the club is laying on free bus travel for the away game at Bromley next Saturday, but must book it before Thursday. Details are available from the club.