Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley is hoping that his players have some energy left for one final push towards the play offs today against Southport.

After a run of seven games without a win that has seen them collect just three points from a possible 21, Moors have dropped out of the play off spots after looking dead certs to be in them just a month ago.

And now they’re in eighth position, and in a situation in which they need to beat Southport at the Brewery Field today, and hope that Bradford PA, who hold the last play-off spot, lose at Kidderminster.

Even then, if Bradford lose, Moors can’t afford to draw, because they could open the door for either Blyth, York City or Boston to overtake them.

Ainsley is holding on to some crumbs of comfort which he hopes can conjure up the winning combination today, but it’s clear that the punishing schedule is taking its toll.

“On our day, we’re capable of beating anybody, but we’re also capable of losing to anybody,” said Ainsley. “For one-off games we’ve usually come to the party and been successful, hopefully that will continue today against a good side. It will be really tough because we’re dead on our feet, but we’ve got a massive opportunity and we must grab it with both hands.

“On our day, we’ve got a chance of beating anybody, but it’s a matter of getting over that hurdle and patching everybody up. The quality hasn’t been there over the last couple of weeks, but I can’t fault the efforts of the players. The lads work every day, and then they have to play three games a week – it’s been tough for them. We’ve got one last ninety minutes, so let’s see what happens.

“We’ve had a fantastic seven or eight months, but the last month has put a right downer on it. You can’t expect teams at this level to play three games a week. The last couple of games have highlighted where we are – we can’t keep a clean sheet, and we can’t take our chances.

“When you reflect over the season, we’ve had a great season, it’s just fizzled out at the wrong time.

“You just know what’s coming at times, because there’s an edginess around the place.

“We had enough chances to win Thursday’s game, but the lads on whom you would put your money in good areas, couldn’t score. I’m devastated for them because they’ve worked ever so hard all season, and they’ve come unstuck because you can’t play three games in five days for three weeks on the trot. We’ve thrown away a good chance.”

Central defender Joe Tait and midfielder Jamie Chandler will both return to the squad today, but another central defender James Curtis is still struggling with a head injury, and defender Chris Chantler will have a fitness test.

Southport, who are managed by former Bolton striker Kevin Davies, had lost seven games in a row until Wednesday night, when they won 4-2 at Darlington.

They were fourth bottom before that game, but have now climbed to 15th in the table, with six away wins this season.