AHEAD of their huge promotion showdown against South Shields today, Warrington Town manager Paul Carden says the winner will get “a clear psychological edge” in the Evo-Stik Premier Division title race.

Yellows travel to Tyneside to face one of their major rivals for promotion to the National League North – the sides are two of three teams separated by just three points.

South Shields are unbeaten at home – their 3-3 draw against Bamber Bridge on Saturday was the first time they had dropped points at Mariners Park this season – but Carden says becoming the first team to leave with all three points is a big motivation for his side.

While stressing there will be plenty more twists and turns to come after this afternoon's game, he admits whoever comes out on top will get “a big lift” for the remainder of the season.

RE-CAP > What happened the last time Yellows met South Shields

“No matter what the result, I think we’ll both be up there,” he said.

“It does give whoever comes out on top a big lift and a clear psychological edge, but there’s still a long way to go.

“It is a massive game – there’s no doubt about that – but there’s still a quarter of the season left.

“With that, there’s a lot of points to play for and a lot of twists and turns.

“We’ve not had a bad time with weather yet and it’s usually around now when it starts.

“They’re the form side at home at the minute and we’ve got to try and do what nobody’s done this season and that’s beat them on their own patch.

“We’ve got to channel all our thoughts into playing to our strengths and trying to combat what they do.”

South Shields, who are looking for a third straight promotion, were pre-season title favourites and have moved ominously into position after a tricky start to the season, including a 3-0 defeat to Yellows at Cantilever Park in September.

They are also regularly backed by large crowds, with attendances at Mariners Park often nearing and exceeding 2,000.

However, Town are in superb form themselves having lost only one of their past 14 league games.

“It’s going to be a good game. They are obviously looking to put right the result they had at our place and they are in great form even though they dropped points at home on Saturday,” Carden said.

“They are a very good side with two very good managers and they’ve had a lot of success.

“They’re very ambitious and they’ve got the crowds to back what they’re doing financially.

“Fair play to them, but we’re going up there fully prepared to come back with a positive result.”

Kick off is at 3pm.