John Haseldin insists his Holywell Town side have the quality and belief to stave off the threat of relegation.

After mounting a title challenge last term, the Wellmen have found themselves in unfamiliar territory this season - lying 14th in the table with just four wins from 18 games to date.

Haseldin, who left the club in the summer before returning to replace his successor Gareth Sudlow in September, admits the club’s struggles have affected him.

But he remains committed to safeguarding Holywell’s future and re-establishing them as a force in the Alliance once more.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's game at Llanrhaeadr, he said: “I’ve made a lot of sacrifices over the years for this football club and it’s been difficult since I’ve come back in to try and turn things around and sort out the mess I came back into.

“We’ve come away from our last two games at Ruthin and Prestatyn with nothing even though I felt we deserved more from both performances.

“But it’s a results business - myself and the players know that - and we’re determined to put things right at the club now.

“We are in a battle to stay up but there still 12 games to play this season.

“Each one of those games are as important to us as cup finals now and we’ll be trying to take maximum points from all of them.

“The new lads who’ve come in like Morgan Jones, Danny Dobbins and Rob Jones have strengthened us for the second half of the season and everyone’s committed to get us out of this position and pushing up the table again.

“Nothing’s handed to you in this league - you have to fight for every point, particularly away from home.

“But we have to be looking to take three points at Llanrhaeadr to get points on the board quickly.”

The Wellmen have bolstered their attacking options by re-signing forward Damian Ketley from Flint.

Gresford Athletic boss Steve Halliwell is braced for a 'big reaction' from league leaders Airbus at Clappers Lane this weekend.

The Colliers claimed an emphatic 5-2 away win over a much-changed Airbus side to advance to the NEWFA Cup semi-finals in midweek.

But with the Wingmakers set to name a full-strength side, Halliwell expects the Alliance pacesetters to arrive with a point to prove.

"There will be a big reaction and we're expecting one", he said.

"The league's obviously their priority this season and rightly so, but that doesn't mean we're going to roll over.

"We know all about their threat. We set-up with a 3-5-2 formation at their place earlier in te season and they tore us apart in a really one-sided game.

"I feel like we've come on leaps and bounds since then though and that we're always capable of matching the big sides when we're at home.

"Airbus have dropped a few points in the last month or so and we feel they're there to be got at this time."

Airbus assistant manager Andy Thomas says his players are not looking too far ahead this season, despite their healthy 12-point lead at the summit.

He said: "Nobody at the club is talking about league titles. We know we can't ease off at this stage of the season, because teams will continue to raise their game when they face us and try to claim our scalp.

"This weekend will be another tough game for us and we expect a similar game to what we faced at Ruthin last week.

"Gresford never make it easy for teams and I'm sure will fancy themselves on their own pitch."

Full-back Joe Culshaw could make his league debut for Gresford after his substitute appearance in midweek, while Colliers forward Jake Eyre remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Airbus have no fresh injury concerns, but could hand a start to full-back Sam hart following his switch from Flint.

Niall McGuinness says his Flint Town United players will sustain their fight for the league title until it becomes ‘mathematically impossible’. The fifth-placed Silkmen remain 14 points adrift of the summit, but retain a game in hand on their title rivals.

And McGuinness insists victory in their home clash with Penrhyncoch is vital.

He said: “We can’t ease off and stop fighting because there are still plenty of points to play for this season. Until it’s mathematically impossible, we’ll keep going.”

“We showed great character to come back from two down and draw at Portmadog last week and that give us some momentum now to take into the Penrhyncoch game.

“They’re a well-organised side and difficult to break down. There’s four or five ex-Welsh Premier players in there too - so there’s quality that can hurt teams there.”

Myles Hart is Flint’s only injury concern for the game.

Dan Moore expects fine margins to decide Buckley Town’s eventual league position this term.

A strong first third to the season saw the Buckley briefly occupy a top four spot, but a downturn in form has since seen them fall to 11th.

But Moore remains happy with his side’s recent points return and has targeted three points from their home clash with in-form Prestatyn Town.

He said: “I think taking five points from our last five games is pretty decent, considering three of those games have been away.

“But we now find ourselves in that cluster of teams in mid-table, where a point can mean the difference between dropping a place or moving up the table - the margins are really fine.

“We’re not safe by any means, but we’re confident we can push on in the next few months into that top half and hopefully we can start a good run by beating Prestatyn.

“Neil Gibson’s really things around down there, and we’ll be facing a much better-organised team than the one we beat 4-0 earlier in the season.

“But we’re out to finish as high a possible this season and to do that we’re going to have to take points off the stronger sides in this league.

Centre-back Lewis Hone misses out with a groin injury, while defensive pair Dylan Roberts and Luke Douglas return.

Second-placed Bangor City will look to maintain their fine form with victory at basement side Holyhead Hotspur tonight.

Conwy Borough are also in action tonight when Warren Gibbs takes his side to struggling Denbigh Town.

Third meets fourth when Porthmadog visit Rhyl tomorrow, while Ruthin Town are in action at Guilsfield.