Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley wants an instant recovery from his team when they face Gateshead at the Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon.

Moors saw their 13-game unbeaten league record fall to a disputed penalty at Darlington on Boxing Day, and now Ainsley wants a quick response from his side.

And they also want revenge for defeat at the hands of Gateshead back in September, which was their previous away defeat.

Ainsley was furious with the penalty award at Darlington that led to Stephen Thompson’s 100th goal and subsequent defeat, and he says that Moors must start again.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game on Boxing Day, the lads were very down in the dressing room afterwards, especially after beating Bradford the Saturday before. I thought we controlled the second half, and Darlington didn’t create much. The manner of the defeat is what disappointed me the most.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves down and go again, and put together another unbeaten run.

“We know that there are some tough games in this league, and this game against Gateshead will certainly be one. We’ll be ready to go and get three points.”

Defender Carl Magnay is missing because of a one match ban, picked up for his two yellows against Bradford Park Avenue last Saturday.

Gateshead also come into the game on the back of a defeat, they were beaten 3-2 at home by Blyth on Boxing Day.

They beat Moors 1-0 back in September, in a game in which Moors spurned several good chances. At the time, that was Moors’ fourth defeat in their opening seven games, but it sparked off a long unbeaten run which ended at Blackwell Meadows.

This is the first of back-to-back home games for Moors, as they host Darlington in the return league game on New Year’s Day before making the long trip to King’s Lynn on 4th January.