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NPL preview | FC United face Gainsborough, while big relegation six-pointer beckons

Sides in the NPL Premier Division will be looking to gain momentum as we continue towards the season’s run-in this weekend.

Our featured game comes from Broadhurst Park as FC United of Manchester host Gainsborough Trinity.

Another midweek win for Russ Wilcox’s side away at Whitby Town saw them move within a point of the top five, having now finally played as many games as Stockton Town, the side immediately above them.

They’ve still got a game in hand on third-placed FC United, and a win away from home would cut the gap between the teams to just two points, leaving the Holy Blues open to climb above them in the future.

Mark Beesley’s side kept within touching distance of top spot last weekend, and will have eyes upwards, rather than being dragged into a potential scrap to preserve their play-off status.

At the opposite end of the table, basement club Workington host fellow relegation zone dwellers Morpeth Town.

The Reds have slowly been chipping away at the barrier between themselves and safety in 2026, losing just once in their last seven games.

They have a massive opportunity to pick up a second win in three games and move two points behind their visitors, giving their survival hopes a major boost in the process.

As for Morpeth, a run of five defeats in six has now seen them cut adrift of those ahead. A win won’t drag them out of the drop zone, but it could cut the gap to one point.

Back at the top, league leaders Hebburn Town will be hoping to end a three-game run of draws when they travel to Leek Town.

Leek had their winning run ended last weekend, but currently have a healthy gap between themselves and danger.

Picking up a third win in four could see the Hornets relinquish top spot, but only if Hednesford Town return to winning ways against Lancaster City.

It was a difficult start to Kelvin Davis’ reign as Hednesford boss, as their winless run extended to four after a 5-0 thrashing at Hyde United.

A return home could be the catalyst for a much-needed win against a side that still has hopes of crashing the race for fifth place, with the Dolly Blues searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since November.

Stockton, who currently hold the final spot in the top five, will be wary of losing it if they fail to win away at Ashton United.

Ashton comes into this one nine points off the Anchors, and a win against them could reignite a late run towards the play-offs.

With Stockton alternating between wins and draws in the last four, they’ll be angling for back-to-back victories to ensure they remain in control of the play-off race.

Warrington Rylands have also alternated between winning and drawing in the last four to keep those below them at arm's length.

This weekend sees Neil Reynolds’ side host Ilkeston Town, who will be searching for consecutive wins in the league for the first time since October.

Elsewhere, Bamber Bridge welcome Whitby to Irongate, in a match-up between two sides looking to get themselves back on track.

The Brig have seen their play-off hopes falter over the past couple of weeks after picking up just two points in their last three games.

Meanwhile, Whitby’s slide down the division continued in midweek, after defeat against Gainsborough extended their winless run to four, leaving them just one position above the drop zone.

Prescot Cables have a golden opportunity to pull away from the relegation zone when they travel to the side with the worst home record in the division, Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Just five points separate the two heading into the weekend, and Stocksbridge will be eager to pick up just their third win at Bracken Moor this season to drag themselves closer to safety.

The two sides directly above Prescot go head-to-head when Cleethorpes Town take on Rushall Olympic.

With six points separating both sides from Morpeth in 19th, a win for either would give them a huge boost in their survival chances going into the final weeks of the campaign.

And finally, ninth takes on 12th as Warrington Town travel to Nethermoor to face Guiseley.

Both sides are in a bit of a slump currently, with Warrington winless in four and Guiseley winless in three.

Both will be eager to return to winning ways against the other, especially Paul Carden’s side, who could keep their play-off hopes alive with victory.

All games are set to kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise.

Fixtures - Saturday 21 February