Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley believes that the race for the title will continue right to the end of the season as they prepare for Saturday’s home game with Consett.

Even though Moors dropped points at Penrith in midweek, challengers Shildon and West Auckland both lost matches and strengthened Moors’ position in second place, a point behind promotion rivals Celtic Nation with three games in hand.

Ainsley said; “The race will go to the wire and with six games to go for us and some really tough games in amongst them, it will be a tremendous achievement if we win it. My main focus is to finish above Celtic Nation so we can achieve our goal of taking the club to the next level and anything on top of that will be an added bonus.”

Keeper Peter Jeffries will have a fitness test on a groin injury, but striker Gavin Cogdon is definitely missing. Midfielders Andrew Stephenson and Chay Liddle, plus winger Joe Walton all return to the squad.

Consett have injury doubts over their two leading scorers, Luke Sullivan and Michael Mackay as well as midfielder Mark Eccles and defender Michael Pearson, while defenders Ian Davidson and Scott Martindale are both missing.

The game at the Brewery Field is one of many in the league that is kicking off at 3.07 to commemorate the Hillsborough disaster.

Shildon, who have played two games more than Moors, are at home to Sunderland RCA, and manager Gary Forrest says: “Spennymoor have just about got it wrapped up now, the rest of us are playing for second.”

Winger Chris Emms will have a fitness test, while striker Nathan Jameson is ill.

The RCA, who are fifth bottom, welcome back Danny Wray and Gary Shields, but defenders Steven Baynes and Ross Preston are both struggling.

Leaders Celtic Nation are at Marske United, and they will be without midfielders Bobby Moore and Nathan Luscombe, but defender Paul Johnson returns to the squad. Nation have only got three games remaining. Marske manager Ted Watts adds striker John Alexander to his squad.

West Auckland continue their punishing end of season schedule with a home game against Whitley Bay, their fourth league game since they beat St Andrews in the Vase semi final last Saturday. West could still catch Moors with their games in hand, although manager Peter Dixon will be rotating his squad today because of tired legs. Only Mattie Moffat is missing because of injury.

Whitley manager Leon Ryan will choose from a full squad, as they defend a seven game unbeaten run in the league.

The usual admission prices have been set aside for the game, and instead spectators can pay what they want.

Guisborough, who are in fourth place after beating Shildon in midweek and have still got Spennymoor to play twice, are at Crook, and have injury doubts over midfielders Tommy Marron and Callum Martin, defender Leon Carling and keeper Ben Escritt. Crook’s squad is stretched to the limit, with Marc Ellison, Chris Wallace, Elliott Woods, Dave Gordon and Steven Francis all doubtful because of injury, while Daryll Evans and Paul Braithwaite are unavailable. Manager Gary Pearson therefore includes himself in the squad.

Newton Aycliffe, who are safe from the drop, are at second bottom Hebburn, and they welcome back defender John Close and midfielder Martin Young. Keeper Gary Rogers comes back into the Hebburn squad, while defender Kris Summers is suspended and Scott Garrett unavailable.

Billingham Synthonia take on Bishop Auckland, who are playing their third game in five days. Bishops could make changes to the team that drew 0-0 with Newcastle Benfield on Thursday night. Synners will be without midfielder Theo Furness because o injury, while Bishop recall midfielder Kieran Megran and defender Ian Maddison.

Durham City, with new manager Ian Chandler in charge, are at home to Morpeth, and they will be without injured winger Josh Gray and unavailable striker Ryan McGorrigan. Morpeth’s regular keeper Stephen Mundy returns, so the emergency keeper in midweek against West Auckland, Michael Fenwick, will probably go back up front. Scott Swanston, Paul Dunn, Mark Grant and Chris Jewels are all missing.

Relegated Billingham Town are at Newcastle Benfield, to whom they lost 9-0 earlier in the season. Steven Jackson will have a fitness test and Matthew Crust returns, while Steve Hodgson and Karl Richards are both doubtful.

In the other games, Ashington face Dunston UTS, and fourth bottom Bedlington are at home to Penrith.

In the second division, West Allotment need a point from their home game against Washington to be promoted with North Shields. Manager Paul Stoneman will choose from a squad of 19 players, and is only missing midfielder Liam Hudson.

Washington have steadily climbed up the table in recent weeks, and are now up to tenth. They will give fitness tests to defenders Paul Wardle, Adam McGuinness and Nathan Johnson.

The third promotion spot is between Seaham Red Star and Jarrow Roofing.

Seaham who are currently third but have played two more games than Roofing, are at home to bottom club Ryton and Crawcrook, and manager Mark Collingwood will choose from a full squad, except for injured centre half Carl Thorp.

Roofing are at Thornaby, who are one of the most improved teams in the division over the second half of the season. Striker Stuart Nicholson returns after suspension, while another striker, David Borley, will have a fitness test. Thornaby are missing defender Ian Bishop because of suspension.

Promoted North Shields, who have lost only twice away from home this season, go across the river to South Shields and will lift the title if they win. However, the division’s top scorer, Gareth Bainbridge, is unavailable, but midfielders Michael Tait and Michael McKeown both return.

Northallerton are at Willington, where they won in the FA Vase earlier this season, and they will give Dale Elgie a fitness test, while Aaron Ramsbottom and Martin Butterworth return to their squad. Willington are without Stephen Howe and Reece Marshall, but Danny Lee, David Moffat and Adam Comby all return.

Brandon and Stokesley both need to win their game to move closer to safety.

Stokesley are without striker Greg Peel and four other players who are out for the season, but Stuart Browne and Drew Lambert both return.

Darlington RA, who haven’t won in their last four matches, are at home to Alnwick, and manager Nick Harrison is missing several players because of injury.

Tow Law, who are unbeaten in their last four matches, go over the A66 to Whitehaven, and they are without keeper Michael Robinson and defenders Adam McVickers and Robbie Blemmings. Lawyers are unbeaten in their last four league games.

Norton face Birtley at Station Road, and manager Andy Campbell will have a full squad to choose from, except for midfielder Jack Proctor. Birtley are without Dan Halliday and Dylan Morse.

Whickham are at home to Chester-le-Street, and they will be missing John Martin, Craig Cavanagh and Ian Robson. However, Sam McIntosh should be available after missing the last eight games. Chester are without keeper Chris Rookes and outfield players Michael Graver, Michael Hepplewhite and Jake Stafford, while Kevin Dixon, Stephen Telford and Robbie Draper all return.

In the Evo-Stik League, Whitby are at Matlock, while Blyth have a must-win game at Nantwich to keep in the play off hunt.