NANTWICH Town face a daunting run-in but playermanager Nigel Gleghorn is looking forward to it.

The Dabbers are still chasing promotion to the revamped UniBond League next season but nine of their final 11 games are against teams currently in the top half of the table.

'It's a run-in which would frighten some teams but I think we will relish it,' said Gleghorn.

'We have done well against the better teams this season but had some poor results against teams down at the bottom.

Squires Gate have done the double over us and St Helens have also taken points off us and that shouldn't have happened.

'On the other hand, we have beaten second-placed Woodley at home and away and that's the anomaly that has been Nantwich Town this season.'

As if to prove the point, Nantwich were held at home by lowly Ramsbottom on Saturday.

Mark Gardner's 52nd-minute penalty was cancelled out by a Matt Swailes header 13 minutes later.

Gleghorn might have won it five minutes from time when his header hit the woodwork, but a win would have been more than the lacklustre display merited.

Among the Dabbers' remaining games are double-headers against leaders Clitheroe and fourth-placed Fleetwood Town.

Four of their next five games are at home, including Saturday's match against Skelmersdale and Tuesday's derby with Alsager (7.45pm).

A big bonus will come in the return of Melford Knight. The combative midfielder has been suspended for almost six months after collecting four red cards in the early part of the season, and Gleg-horn says he is itching for a return.

'Melford is champing at the bit and will be like a new signing. I think the length of his ban was ridiculous. He isn't a dirty player and of the four sendings off, I think only one was deserved.

'He has been keeping himself fit and will be available again from March 14, which means he will come into my thoughts for the derby against Alsager.'

Nantwich's home match against Newcastle Town has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, March 24 to avoid a clash with the re-arranged Crewe Alex v Stoke match. Alsager Town stretched their unbeaten run to 15 games as they consolidated fifth spot at Trafford on Saturday. But Greg Clowes's side needed an injury-time winner from Wayne Brotherton. They had been reduced to 10 men when ace marksman Andy Kinsey was sent off for foul and abusive language to an assistant referee.

His 23rd goal of the season had put Alsager ahead in the 36th minute when he picked the ball up and curled a magnificent effort past the Trafford keeper.

Trafford's 10 men got back on terms when substitute Andy Lundy clipped a shot over Alsager keeper Rob Powner.

The match was deep into stoppage time when Brotherton glanced in a corner.

Clowes said: 'After we had gone down to 10 men, we surprised Trafford by taking off a defender and throwing on another attacker. We were really positive and got our reward.'

Alsager host strugglers Squires Gate on Saturday before making the short trip to Nantwich on Tuesday.