Graham Fenton reveals the mood in the South Shields camp ahead of crunch promotion clash

It's first plays fifth at Mariners Park and Shields know the importance of picking up maximum points against a Nantwich side on a three-match winning run in the league.

League leaders Shields go into the game nine points ahead of their opponents, who have played one match less.

A win would therefore be a huge boost for the Mariners as they aim to end a sequence of three league games without a win.

Fenton feels they were unfortunate not to come away from Tuesday's derby trip to Morpeth Town with maximum points.

Jason Gilchrist deservedly put Shields ahead 10 minutes into the second half before Carl Finnigan equalised with 11 minutes remaining to earn the Highwaymen a share of the spoils.

The result may not have been what the Mariners desired but the performance certainly was, and Fenton says they take great confidence from it into tomorrow's match.

He said: "We know this game will be another tough test because Nantwich are in fine form.

"It's always a competitive match against them and with their own free-flowing style of football I'm sure they will provide us with a few problems on the day.

"That said, we go into the game buoyant after the much-improved performance on Tuesday and are confident we will also provide them with lots of problems."

After a run of three consecutive away fixtures, Fenton is pleased to be back on home soil tomorrow.

He is particularly looking forward to seeing his side play on a surface they are so accustomed to.

He added: "Some of the football played on a less than ideal pitch on Tuesday was fantastic to watch and hopefully that will give the players huge confidence, particularly back here at Mariners Park on a much better surface.

"Now we're back at home, we need to get back to playing the style of football which we feel is and has been so productive and entertaining over the last few seasons."

Shields remain without the injured Luke Daly, Ross Coombe and Jon Shaw while there are doubts over the likes of Blair Adams, Phil Turnbull and Gary Brown.

Kick-off at Mariners Park is at 3pm and admission - which can be paid at the turnstiles - is £10 for adults, £8 for students and over-65s, and £3 for under-16s.