After progression into the next round of the League Cup in midweek, Morpeth are back in Division One action with a testing trip to North Shields.

After beating Shildon in their last league outing, Town will be going all-out to win so they can keep second-placed Marske United out of reach of top spot.

SNAPSHOT PREVIEW

FORM: North Shields, in cup competitions, have won their last four games. But in the bread and butter of the league, things haven’t got quite so smoothly. They haven’t won in three and were humbled 5-1 at home to Ashington in a surprising result. But beating Marske during midweek highlighted the threat posed by a quality side on their day. After going on a five-match clean-sheet streak, they haven’t kept their opponents out in their previous nine in league and cup. A 50% win rate in the league on home soil suggests it’s a case of seeing which North Shields turns up as to the challenge that lies ahead.

Morpeth are enjoying a 12-game unbeaten streak in the league, with five straight victories to date. Wednesday night’s clean-sheet was their second consecutive score to nil, after going 13 matches with only one clean-sheet. They’ve earned six all season.

LAST GAME: North Shields produced their performance of the season to overcome Marske United 3-2 in the League Cup second round in midweek. After trailing for a spell of the game, Shields scored three in six minutes before holding on to claim a notable scalp.

Morpeth’s victory in the same competition was more straightforward as they, despite the odd scare, moved into the next round courtesy of a James Harmison goal on 46 minutes against Blyth AFC. Not one for the purists, Keith Graydon described it as “job done” for the Highwaymen on a night when the result was what counted following FA Vase disappointment the previous Saturday.

ONE TO WATCH: Gareth Bainbridge scored his eighth league goal of the season in the win over Marske. Hitting 150 for the club, that’s a statistic which highlights his experience and Division One street-wise which will be a big threat to Morpeth on Saturday.

WHERE TO WATCH: Daren Persson Stadium, West Percy Street, North Shields.

SAT NAV: NE29 6UA