The last of the long-distance away journeys this season will see the Miners travel to Ashington AFC. The opponents sit 14th in the NPL East table still wary of the relegation places below them, yet recent back-to-back victories have proven that they could provide a tough test for a Town side comfortably in the top half.

The Colliers managed to overturn an early Dan Coupland opener to claim a 2-1 win against Garforth back in September, which marked the Miners' first league defeat of the campaign. This time at Woodhorn Lane however, it could unfold very differently.

Ashington have endured a season hovering close to the drop zone, although the last fortnight has provided them with a three-point buffer between them and the bottom four. A triumphant 3-1 win against play-off contenders Emley AFC (albeit against ten men) and most recently another three points in a close 1-0 battle with Liversedge has crucially helped their survival bid.

The Colliers' leading marksman Josh Gilchrist bagged in both games, taking his league total to 14 goals. After the Liversedge match, he said that: "If we keep picking up points which we can do, then we'll be fine. It's in our hands."

Assistant manager Liam McIvor noted that "there's only three points separating 12th and 19th," as he highlighted Saturday’s home clash with Garforth as a "huge game." The fixture will also be the Colliers' last Saturday match at home this season, which could possibly encourage their squad to put on a show.

Despite that Ashington still have to face sides below them in the form of Heaton Stannington and Sheffield FC, they likely will provide a challenge for Town in attempt to secure their safety as soon as possible.

Returning to the Miners, a gutsy performance against second-placed Dunston saw Town rescue an away point late on, even whilst playing with ten men for much of the game after a straight red card to Sam Denton in the first half. Injuries have been plentiful for Garforth in the latter third of this season, yet determination is of no short supply.

Manager Paul Marshall stated his squad "deserved the equaliser," and that "we played well to come back with ten men, against probably the best team in the league."

Max Tweddle was absent for the Dunston game but should return this weekend. No new returns from injury are to be expected, in addition to the aforementioned suspension for Sam Denton.

It's another trip to the north-east for the Miners this Saturday in the farthest away match of the season. A solid performance will be required to make the journey worthwhile.

Kick Off is at 3pm