Something For The Weekend: National League North

Darlington v Salford City

Harrogate Town`s home draw with fellow play-off chasers Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday night meant that leaders Salford City possess a nine-point lead heading into the weekend`s trip to the north-east.

However, the Ammies` hosts at Blackwell Meadows, Darlington, are equally in desperate need for the points, but in their case, it`s to avoid getting sucked into the bottom three.

If results don`t go their way on Saturday, the Quakers could find themselves in the relegation zone – something not anticipated when they appointed former playing favourite Tommy Wright (pictured) as manager in succession to Mark Gray after the latter switched to league rivals York City.

Nuneaton Town v Harrogate Town

The team Wright left behind, Nuneaton Town, have the opportunity to move out of the bottom three when they host second-placed Harrogate at Liberty Way.

And with Simon Weaver`s side having dropped points to both FC United of Manchester last Saturday and then at the CNG against Kidderminster on Tuesday, Dino Maamria`s Boro may be playing them just at the right time.

Nuneaton beat bottom-markers North Ferriby United last weekend and drew their previous two games against Chorley and Curzon Ashton, so have are in a bit of form themselves.

With just six points separating Nuneaton from eleventh-placed Stockport County, and with the busy Christmas and New Year fixture period on the horizon, Saturday`s game could prove vital.

Stockport County v Spennymoor Town

Talking of Stockport, they have slipped away from the play-off race in recent weeks, having won only one of their last five matches, and were beaten 3-2 at third-placed Brackley Town last weekend.

Jim Gannon`s side will be keen to get back amongst the contenders when they take on current fifth-placed Spennymoor Town at Edgeley Park.

The Moors have been kicking their heels since beating Cleethorpes Town in the Buildbase FA Trophy on November 25th and will be eager to make up for their 4-0 hammering at Leamington in their last league outing the week before that.

Eight points currently separate the two sides ahead of Saturday`s meeting, and the Hatters will be looking to cut that to five.