Magpies look to bounce back against Ashton

The Magpies got the season off to a fine start last Saturday when they defeated Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 at Aggborough.

However, they found themselves on the wrong end of that scoreline on Tuesday at home to National League North title favourites Salford City.

“Salford’s manager came up to me at the end of the game and said, ‘How wehave managed to win that game is beyond me’ – that says it all,” said Jansen.

“We were exceptional on Tuesday night in terms of our work ethic, determination and desire.

“They got the rub of the green and we didn’t.

“Salford are favourites for the league, so if we perform like that throughout the course of the game, we are going to win a lot more games than we lose.”

Like the Magpies, Curzon have begun the new season by winning their opening league game – 4-0 at home to North Ferriby United – but losing their second game at Stockport County on Tuesday.

We will go again tomorrow at home to Curzon.

“They are a strong side and have been our bogey team over the last three or four years.

“But we will go into that game full of confidence because the way we have been playing shows that we are a strong side.”

Meanwhile, it will be a case of two of a kind tomorrow when National League new boys Fylde and Ebbsfleet meet in Kent.

Both sides were promoted at the end of last season, home side Ebbsfleet coming up via the play-off route, coming from behind in the National League South decider against Chelmsford City.

AFC Fylde have started the season in encouraging enough style, with draws against Boreham Wood and Chester, while Ebbsfleet are in third place after a win over Maidstone United and a draw with Guiseley.

Fylde manager Dave Challinor said: “We are finding our feet a little bit and, like Ebbsfleet, it is a case of getting used to this level. Looking at the results at the start of the season most games in the division have been really tight.

“I have been pleased with how it has gone so far.”