Spennymoor assistant manager Jason Ainsley is hoping that Moors' team spirit will carry them to promotion, writes Ray Simpson.

Moors start a hectic end-of-season schedule today, when they play the first of four games in eight days at home to Rossendale.

"The team spirit in the last few weeks has been unbelievable," said Ainsley. "Even though we've been playing twice a week for ages now, the players have kept battling away, and they have a huge will to win..

"On Tuesday night, for example, we played several players out of position because of necessity, and we won at Workington.

"We got that promotion feeling when Steve Preen scored the winner late in the game, but it's important not to get carried away."

Moors are two points clear of third-placed Radcliffe Borough with a game in hand, and they could even have a chance of the title if leaders Alfreton slip up against North Ferriby.

Moors' last three games are away to Bishops on Monday and Stocksbridge on Thursday and at home to Witton next Saturday.

Bishop Auckland visit Leek Town determined to stretch their unbeaten run to ten matches.

Manager Brian Honour is hoping that defender Paul Moss and midfielder Phil Ross will be able to return after injury.

In the Premier Division, Gateshead must beat Worksop. If Gateshead end up in the play-offs, they have been told that they will be unable to hold games at their temporary home of South Shields.

Whitby are at home to Lancaster City.

* The three contenders for the Wearside League title are all in action but seven teams are without a fixture. Cleadon SC, however, will be playing both this afternoon and tonight!

They have hit on the novel idea of playing two games in Cumbria to save travel costs. They meet Whitehaven at 2.30 pm before making the short journey to Windscale for a 5.30 pm kick-off.

Leaders Stokesley SC are at home to North Shields, who despite having lost their way in the League are through to the final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and the semi-final of the League Cup.

Paul Aldridge, Mattie Homan, Michael Wilson and Ben Escritt are all missing for Stokesley, which could leave the way open for Andrew Murphy to make his full debut following two appearances as substitute.

Shields field a much stronger line-up than the one which was held to a draw by Annfield Plain on Wednesday.

They have leading scorer Eddie Miller, Dominic Riley, Anthony Robson, Paul Hogg and Neil McCulloch all returning as they aim to complete a hat-trick of wins over Stokesley.

Wolviston visit New Marske and hope to narrow Stokesley's four-point lead. The sides have played the same number of games.

Simon Colligan and Kieron White are both unavailable but Paul Franklin and Guy Whatmore resume. Paul Kraczjer is available following his recent move.

New Marske, who until recently were on the fringe of the championship race, have suffered a double blow with the news that neither Glen Shepherd nor Ian Johnson can play.

Birtley Town are third, seven points behind Stokesley and three adrift of Wolviston. They have three matches in hand on both ahead of their visit to bottom-of-the-table Ferryhill Athletic.

A massive blow is the absence of Kevin Murphy for the rest of the season. He has broken his collar bone and will be difficult to replace at the heart of the defence.

It is not all doom and gloom, however, since Derek Ord, Anthony Lynch and Carl Pennington all resume after missing Wednesday's victory at Cleadon SC.

One-time leaders Boldon CA, now fourth, host Harton and Westoe without the injured Stephen Williams.