In fact the lowest Steve Cunningham's side have been this season has been 8th after their 2-2 opening day draw at home to Blyth Spartans. Ashton have gone on to pick up 34 of their 66 points at Hurst Cross, winning ten, drawing four and losing five, as they sit 5th in the table, with a five point cushion over Ilkeston, sat just outside the play-off places.

Cunningham is assisted by Sean Newton, a name familiar with many followers of Lincolnshire football, following his successful spell with the Imps. Their side are third top scorers in the division, while defensively Russ Wilcox's men rank mid-table in the goals conceded division. Perhaps making the promotion chasers favourites in this one.

Wilcox's Holy Blues will take little notice of the visitor's favourites' tag. A look back at Trinity's cup successes, will show that Gainsborough fear no one in the division and will give their all to crack the side that have tasted defeat three times in the last half dozen games. Recent signing from Chorley, Marcus Carver, has added to the side's firepower in recent weeks. Carver scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 home win over Hebburn Town. They then backed that up with a win over relegation threatened Basford last time out. Louis White scoring his third goal in two games to secure victory in the last minute!

Gainsborough go into this one without the services of suspended duo Bailey Conway and Dylan Cogill following their red cards in the highly controversial clash with Prescot Cables seven days prior. The Blues will be determined to bring down the curtain on an exciting season, with a return to winning ways. Suspensions to two, mean the Blues are short on numbers, but not on quality. Conway misses one game, while Cogill misses two, starting on Saturday. Missing from the dugout is Trinity boss, Russ Wilcox. He too serves a ban as part of a totting up procedure.

So, more than ever, the Holy Blues will need your backing. Get yourselves down to the game at Ashton, there aren't too many more opportunities this season, one of the most emotional rollercoasters we have enjoyed, endured and cherished...

Elsewhere

Without a win on Saturday, Mickleover could see their relegation confirmed. And Whitby and Bamber Bridge could take huge steps to securing their own status with wins against Warrington Rylands (H) and Worksop (A) respectively. In full, here are the fixtures:

Guiseley vs Macclesfield
Hebburn Town vs Mickleover
Hyde United vs Matlock Town
Ilkeston Town vs FC United of Manchester
Lancaster City vs Blyth Spartans
Leek Town vs Workington
Morpeth Town vs Basford United
Prescot Cables vs Stockton Town
Whitby Town vs Warrington Rylands
Worksop Town vs Bamber Bridge

Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Photos by John Hopkins