Hednesford boss expects a chance

Hednesford manager Rob Smith today insisted the chance of a play-off place will fall back into the Pitmen's hands over the last three games of the season.

Smith's men trail FC United of Manchester, who hold fifth place on goal difference, ahead of tomorrow's clash with second-placed Northwich.

The match will be played at Leek Town as Northwich currently don't have a ground to call their own, which is why the game is being played on a Friday.

And if Smith's men take three points back across Staffordshire, the pressure is on FC United to deliver in their trip to Matlock on Saturday.

Now the Pitmen boss has eased the tension in his own ranks by voicing his belief that their promotion rivals won't win all of their last three games.

Smith expects to get an opportunity to climb back into the play-off places, which they dropped out of last month for the first time since September.

He said: "If we can get a result tomorrow, we stand a chance but we couldn't ask for a tougher game, really, so we can't look any further ahead.

"Northwich are a very, very strong side and I have watched them numerous times this season, they have got a lot of quality.

"But I will be surprised if the team above us pick up nine points, because we have both got three very tough games.

"That's the hope but all we can do is look after ourselves and I would be surprised, again, if maximum points isn't enough."

Hednesford fulfil their fixture list with home games against North Ferriby United next Tuesday and Worksop on Saturday week.

They are likely to be without defender Jermaine Johnson until Worksop come to Keys Park for the season finale.

Johnson missed Monday's win at Chasetown with a groin strain and the next two matches are likely to come too soon.

Nick Wellecomme is also a big doubt with a heel injury he was carrying at Chasetown, where he scored the equaliser.

The striker could be replaced by Mark Beesley, who is available again after seeing out a three-match suspension.

Beesley will be keen to get his own back on FC United, after he was sent off in the 2-1 home defeat to the Red Rebels last month.

But midfielder Chris Clements is 50-50 to play against Northwich tomorrow, as he has re-aggravated a hamstring problem.