Curzon Ashton 1 Spennymoor Town 0.

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley admitted that the demands of their recent playing schedule caught up with his players in their 1-0 defeat at Curzon Ashton on Saturday.

Moors have had gruelling schedules in previous seasons when they’ve won promotion three times and won the FA Vase, but this one is the toughest by far. This was their seventh game in sixteen days, and following this setback, haven’t won in the last five. Injuries and fatigue are taking their toll, but Ainsley is demanding that players give their remaining energy for the three home games this week against Telford, North Ferriby and Southport.

They’ve now dropped outside the play offs, because of Bradford Park Avenue’s win against second placed Harrogate Town, and now they need to win two of these home games to clinch a play-off spot.

“It was a poor, tired performance in which we huffed and puffed,” said Ainsley. “We created a few chances in the second half, but we conceded to the only chance that they had.

“We didn’t stop the cross and their lad had a free header in the box.

“But I can’t be too harsh on the lads. I feel for them because they’re running on empty after all these recent games, but we have a big week coming up now, and they need to call on every ounce of energy as the play offs are still in our hands. We need as much support from the fans as possible.

“There were some good individual performances, but we lacked quality going forward.”

Both sides cancelled each other in a less than eventful first half, with Ainsley having made five changes to the starting line up from the Darlington game the other night, with Joe Tait and Chris Chantler rested.

Moors didn’t create any real chances but Curzon went close when Jonathan Hunt headed just wide. However, the home side took the lead four minutes before half time when Ben Wharton crossed from the left for Joe Guest to charge into the six yard box and head past Dan Lowson.

Moors improved in the second half and nearly levelled on 50 minutes when Rob Ramshaw set up Glen Taylor, whose low shot was well saved by keeper Cameron Mason.

Then former Curzon player Ryan Hall burst through, but his effort was blocked by Mason.

Moors stayed on top after that, but they didn’t create many opportunities in front of goal, and lacked a cutting edge, probably due to their fatigue.

And they were nearly caught out at the other end when James Baillie burst through, but Lowson saved at his feet.

Moors: Lowson, Griffiths, Curtis, Mason, Lowe (sub Johnson 68), Chandler, Hall (sub Anderson 77), Ramshaw, Foley (sub Fewster 77), Taylor. Subs: Porter, Henry.