Spennymoor return to the Brewery Field after two tough away trips with two home games in four days, beginning today against Southport.

Moors have collected four points on their travels in the last week, winning 2-0 at Alfreton last Saturday, and a goalless draw from the long trip in midweek to Brackley, from which some players didn’t get home until 3 in the morning.

Manager Jason Ainsley said; “That was a big point on Tuesday, because Brackley will be up there at the end of the season.

“I thought we were all over the place in the first half, and I don’t think it was down to the long journey. I thought we were below par, but Glen (Taylor) nearly snatched the winner at the end. Our endeavour warranted something.

“I thought our workrate and togetherness in the second half were excellent, and our organisation was much better than the first half.

“It’s a relief to be back home now, with two successive home games, so it’s a chance for us to keep in touch with the play off places.

“This was always going to be an important month, and we’ve started it well. But Southport are a good strong side. I know their manager, Liam Watson, well. Every time we’ve played them, they’ve been tough to beat.

“However, we’ve done well recently. Apart from Tuesday at Brackley, we’ve scored loads of goals, and we’ve kept clean sheets in our last three away games. We must continue that form.”

A couple of decisions have gone against Moors in the last two games – a disallowed goal by Glen Taylor from a free kick at Alfreton, and a soft penalty against them at Brackley, which was eventually missed.

“I didn’t think it was a penalty, I thought it was a bad decision, the second in two games. The side netting rippled at Alfreton with Glen Taylor’s shot. We could have done with VAR!” he joked.

Defender Carl Magnay will probably be missing, while midfielder Dan Ward, defender Callum Williams and striker Andrew Johnson are all out.

Southport have had a good run recently. They have won six out of their last eight league games, and drawn one, at league leaders York City. David Morgan has scored in each of the last four matches.

In the Buildbase FA Trophy, Morpeth are at home to Atherton Collieries, Whitby go to Peterborough Sports and South Shields are at home to Rushden and Diamonds.

In the BetVictor North West League, fourth placed Marske are at fellow promotion challengers Tadcaster, and Dunston go to Droylsden.