STEVE HALLIWELL is confident Gresford Athletic have what it takes to move another step closer to survival with a positive result against high-flying Colwyn Bay.

Five wins in their last six matches, including an impressive 2-1 success at Rhyl on Saturday, have moved Gresford seven points clear of the drop zone.

Gresford kick-off the final quarter of their season at home to Colwyn Bay, who are pushing Flint for the runners-up spot.

And Halliwell is confident his side, also seven points off sixth place, can go toe-to-toe with the Seagulls on Saturday afternoon, even without a number of key players.

Jack Chaloner, Ashton Williams and Joe Culshaw are suspended, while Joe Chaplin is unable to face his parent club under the terms of his loan switch.

“It’s a good game for us,” said director of football Halliwell. “We are in good form, it’s as simple as that, even if we are missing a couple of players.

“The good thing is that we still have players who can cause teams problems and I’m confident we will give a good account of ourselves.”

It’s 1-1 heading into the deciding meeting between the two teams this season, Gresford winning 1-0 in the League Cup, before losing 3-1 at Llanelian Road.

“I watched them a few times and obviously we’ve played them twice,” continued Halliwell.

“But I won’t be reading too much into the previous games we’ve played against each other because we’ve got a completely different team and they’ve signed a few since our last meeting.”

Jordan MacCarter could return to fill the void left by Chaplin, Halliwell unable to twist Bay boss Craig Hogg’s arm into letting the on-loan striker play.

“I did ask the question,” said Halliwell. “He will be a big loss, but it gives someone else a chance.”

Experienced defender Adam Hesp will return for Gresford.

Buckley Town’s survival hopes have been hit by the news that defender Lewis Hone has left the Flintshire club.

Hone took to Twitter to confirm his departure from Globe Way, writing: “So my time at the bucks is over, wasn’t an easy decision, just made sense with my personal life! I want to thank everyone at Buckley, staff players and fans, always be my family good luck for the future love you all @BTFCofficial77 #upthebucks.”

Dan Moore’s Buckley will be looking to build on last week’s hard-fought 1-0 success over Penrhyncoch by beating high-flying Guilsfield as they look to put further distance between themselves and the bottom four.

Llangefni, who occupy the final place in the relegation zone, are two points adrift of Buckley and head to Llanrhaeadr.

Third from bottom Porthmadog travel to Penrhyncoch and basement outfit Llanfair United entertain Bangor City.

In the battle for a top-six spot, Eddie Maurice-Jones’ Rhyl, in ninth position, play host to Conwy Borough, who are currently a point and two places above the Lilywhites.