Town aiming to boost bid for play-offs

MORPETH Town assistant manager Jon McDonald has urged his side to use their win at Gainsborough Trinity as a “springboard” for a play-off challenge.

The Highwaymen travel to relegation-threatened Bamber Bridge tomorrow knowing they could find themselves in the top ten of the BetVictor NPL Premier Division table if they follow up last weekend’s win at Gainsborough with another at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

They travel to Lancashire looking to stretch their unbeaten run to an eighth consecutive game and they could move to within four points of the play-off places if they are able to do so.

McDonald admitted his side needed to make the most of the games in hand it holds over the clubs immediately above it in the table – but revealed the Highwaymen are “hopeful” they can secure a play-off place at the end of the season.

The former North Shields and West Allotment Celtic manager said: “We are in good form but we recognise we need to take advantage of our games in hand.

“We hope Saturday’s win at Gainsborough is a springboard for us and we go into this week’s game at Bamber Bridge focused on securing another three points.

“The league is tough and any team going on a decent run has a realistic chance of making the play-off spots.

“We are hopeful we can be in and around those places come the end of the season.”

Striker Liam Henderson will be absent from the Morpeth squad as he serves a suspension – and long-term injury victim Ben Sayer is also unavailable.

■DUNSTON UTS will look to move away from the lower reaches of the North West Division by continuing their upturn in form with a home win against Ramsbottom United.

The Northern League champions have produced two stunning displays in their last two games – a 4-1 league success at Droylsden and a 5-1 victory at Premier Division side Scarborough Athletic in the Integro League Cup in midweek.

Manager Chris Swailes is hopeful goalkeeper Niall Harrison and Liam Thear will both be available and he will also make a late check on the fitness of defender Craig Scott.