NATIONAL LEAGUE

GATESHEAD are on the hunt for more goals against relegation-battling Solihull Moors at the International Stadium tonight.

The Midlanders are just two points from safety after looking doomed before former Cheltenham manager Mark Yates took over.

The Moors will put up more resistance than Maidenhead did on Saturday, the Magpies hit for seven by a rampant Gateshead.

The Heed have racked up 13 goals in their last three games and want to go into Saturday’s FA Trophy semi-final first leg on the back of three wins.

Manager Steve Watson said: “It was a brilliant win on Saturday but it will mean nothing if we drop our standards and let ourselves down tonight.

“I said before the weekend we needed to win the two league games in four days at home to Maidenhead and Solihull. Not only to give us confidence for the Trophy but also because everyone is fighting to get into the team for the two semi-final ties.

“Nobody can afford to drop their standards, and no one has, but if we are to have any chance of getting in and around the play-offs we need to keep winning.

“We face a Solihull team scrapping for their lives. They will be fighting for absolutely everything, so we will have to be on top of our game again.”

Playmaker Paddy McLaughlin is likely to lead the side in the absence of Neill Byrne tonight.

With two massive cup-ties on the horizon Byrne may not be risked after coming off late on at the weekend with a tight hamstring.