SPENNYMOOR United boss Colin Richardson is confident his side can beat the drop at the expense of Accrington Stanley ahead of tomorrow's crucial relegation showdown at the Crown Ground.

A win for the 'Moors would put a massive 14 points between the two clubs at the foot of the UniBond League Premier Division and blow apart Stanley's hopes of a great escape.

But a victory for Wayne Harrison's men would drag United back into the thick of a relegation scrap as the league programme enters the final straight.

It's something of an alien situation to Richardson who has masterminded successful FA Vase and league championship campaigns in his native North East at clubs like Bridlington and Newcastle Blue Star.

But he will call on all his experience to help keep United in the Premier Division.

"It's the first time I've ever been in a situation like this and I can't say I'm really enjoying it," said Richardson.

"But it's certainly a challenge. It's a real six-pointer tomorrow because we are trying to keep the gap between us and the bottom teams and they are trying to close it.

"But we've got a few more points in the bank so it's in our own hands."

United's present predicament comes as no surprise to Richardson after he took over during the summer. They propped up the league in the opening weeks but a mini revival has helped the club climb out of the dropzone.

And although they have played more games than their nearest rivals, Richardson is still confident of succeeding in his toughest ever task as the majority of their remaining 10 games are at their Brewery Field home. "I'm not surprised at where we are because the club has been struggling near the bottom for the last few seasons and when we came in in the summer we had to have a big clear out.

"It's been difficult because there are quite a few UniBond League clubs within a small radius where we are so we haven't really got that big a catchment area from which to draw players.

"The Northern League is nowhere near as strong as it used to be either so we've really struggled to bring in players who are good enough.

"But If we can just start scoring a few more goals then I don't think we'll have a problem because we've been playing well, particularly at home.

"Last Saturday we played Altrincham and made two mistakes in seven minutes which cost us the game.

"But we made more than enough chances to have beaten them." Meanwhile, Stanley manager Wayne Harrison will plunge teenage striker Steve Longworth straight into the starting line up for tomorrow's make or break clash. The 19-year-old front man has joined on a month's loan from Blackpool and is set to partner leading scorer Billy O'Callaghan in attack in the absence of the injured Paul Heavey. Full-back Mike Langhorn is also doubtful with an ankle problem.

It's a game the Reds simply cannot afford to lose if they are to keep their survival hopes alive but Harrison is urging his men to keep their cool. "I've got to try and relax the lads as much as I can.

"I don't have to tell them how important this game is because they already know.

"I've been in two relegation fights twice before and on both occasions I've got the teams out of it.

"Hopefully, I can use that experience because I know when to relax players and when to build them up at the right time.

"But whatever happens we'll keep fighting to the bitter end.

"We won't give up until it's mathematically impossible."

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