Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley is aiming for a long run in the Buildbase FA Trophy – but he knows that his side has a tough hurdle to overcome at fellow National League North club Leamington on Saturday.

Moors go into the game unbeaten in their last eleven league matches for the game against their opponents, who are 18th in the table. They are unbeaten in the league going back to early September.

“We want to do well in the competition,” he said.

“We were a little bit disappointed with our FA Cup run. We lost at Chorley in the last qualifying round when we thought that we could have progressed, maybe we went out a round too soon. That was a missed opportunity as far as we’re concerned.

“There have been clubs from our league in the Trophy final recently – Brackley, for instance, have been in the final, so have Stockport County – so it demonstrates that it’s possible for somebody from our division to get to the final.

“We reached the quarter finals just two seasons ago, and went out in a replay, so we know that we have the ability of reaching the later stages.

“But this is a tough draw against another team in our league. It seems like ages since we’ve had a home game in this competition. They’ve had some good results this season, and we’ve had mixed fortunes against them on their ground. We won there in the league last season, but lost the year before. We have to treat them with the utmost respect “But Leamington will also be thinking that playing us is a tough draw.

“There are some very tricky games early in the competition, it’s difficult getting through the early rounds. For example, York are playing Altrincham, and Brackley are playing Chester.”

Defenders Carl Magnay and Callum Williams are both out because of injury, while striker Andy Johnson will have a fitness test.

Elsewhere in the Trophy, Blyth are at home to Alfreton, and Gateshead go to Halesowen In the BetVictor NPL, Morpeth, who are 15th, go to Bamber Bridge, while midtable Whitby are at home to Grantham.

In the BetVictor North West League, second placed Marske are at home to fourth placed Clitheroe, while Dunston tackle Ramsbottom.