  The spherical proportional counter is a large volume gaseous detector which
finds application in several fields, including direct Dark Matter searches.
When the detector is filled with nitrogen it becomes an effective neutron
spectrometer thanks to the $^{14}$N(n,$\mathrm{\alpha}$)$^{11}$B and
$^{14}$N(n,p)$^{14}$C reactions. Nitrogen, however, is a challenging operating
gas for proportional counters and requires a high electric field strength to
gas pressure ratio. Benefiting from the latest advances in spherical
proportional counter instrumentation and simulation techniques, we report first
neutron measurements at operating pressures of up to 1.8 bar. This achievement
enhances the prospects of the spherical proportional counter to act as a
neutron spectrometer appropriate for challenging environments, including
underground laboratories, and industrial and medical settings.
