Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley is hoping to bury some bad memories when AFC Telford United visit the Brewery Field in the Vanarama National League North on Saturday afternoon.

Moors last played their visitors three seasons ago in the last qualifying round of the FA Cup, when they were in the EvoStik First Division North and Telford were in the Conference Premier.

Telford were strong favourites to win the game, but instead Moors were on the verge of a shock result when they led 2-0 going into stoppage time, but Telford hit back to draw 2-2 and then win the replay the following midweek.

“The ending to that game annoyed me for a few weeks afterwards, because the referee added a lot of stoppage time on, and Telford took advantage,” said Ainsley.

“We were 2-0 up, and they scored twice in stoppage time, plus we could have had a penalty as well.

“We ended up going to their place in our cars for a midweek replay, and unfortunately we were beaten 3-0. We had missed our chance in the first game. So today we’ll be aiming to banish the memories of the first game.”

Moors go into today’s game in fifth place in the table, and looking for a performance that is close to their last home outing, the magnificent 3-1 win over promotion chasing Harrogate Town.

“We have played some very good football home and away this season. The Harrogate game was probably our best, but we have also beaten Stockport and Chorley, and lost to York playing some very good football.

“It’s nice to receive plaudits, but there is still a long way to go this season. I know that I’ve said it many times before this season, but this is a very good league in which everybody is capable of beating everybody else. Some people might think that we’re favourites to win today’s game, but that is foolish, because Telford are a full time with a very good away record this season.

“We’ve come a long way since the last Telford game. There were three leagues between us last time, now we’re playing them on an equal footing, which is hard to believe in the space of three years.

“It would also be great to have another good crowd. We had 1100 in for the Harrogate game, and hopefully some people who had come to the Harrogate game for the first time, will return for the Telford game. Several people approached me after that Harrogate game and told me that we had played some very good football, so hopefully we can reward them this afternoon.

“We must aim to produce another professional performance, and make sure that we take our chances when they come along.”

Moors will be without midfielder Jamie Chandler because of a one match ban, while defender Joe Tait returns to the squad after sitting out a suspension at Clitheroe last week. Top scorer Glen Taylor is also back to full fitness.

Telford, who have won five times on their travels this season, include striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who was top scorer for Wolves when they won promotion to the Premiership in 2009.