Bishop Auckland will have two new players in their squad for the home game with Marine this afternoon.

Manager Brian Honour has signed striker Anthony Woodhouse, who has been playing at Benfield Saints, and defender Tony Hall from Billingham Town.

Both will make their debuts alongside Steven Bell, who signed from Guisborough last week.

"I'm trying to strengthen the spine of the team," Honour said. "All the players concerned have got experience at this level. Tony, for example, has played for Gateshead and Whitby in the UniBond League, Steven has been at Bishops before, and Anthony scored a few goals for Blyth last season."

Bishops are four points adrift at the bottom of the table, but just five away from fifth bottom and safety.

Bishops will be keeping an eye on events at Frickley, who take on Blyth in a bottom four clash.

Gateshead, another bottom four club, are at home to Prescot Cables, while Whitby, who are chasing promotion, are at home to Radcliffe Borough.

Spennymoor manager Graeme Clark says that his players are "very determined" to see the season out at the Brewery Field.

There has been much speculation about the future of the club over the last ten days, but for the time being Clark is trying to keep his squad together, and has his sights on three points from today's game at Witton Albion, their opponents next month in the Presidents Cup.

"The lads want to finish the season with Spennymoor," he said.

"They are in a very determined and very good mood. They realise that we have a very good side here, and that we can win something this season. We're in two cup semi-finals, and have a chance of the play-offs.

"It's business as usual, as far as possible."

While Johnny Butler has rejoined his old club Washington Nissan, Danny Brunskill and Micky Gough have both turned down moves away from the Brewery Field. Skipper Phil Brumwell returns to the ! squad while striker Tommy Raw will have a fitness test.

Darlington RA defend a six-point lead at the top ahead of their game with Windscale at Brinkburn Road this afternoon.

"We have not lost in the league since the fourth game of the season and the destination of the championship is in our own hands,'' said manager, Dave Woodcock. "There is still an awful long way to go and we have 15 fixtures to play so it is important we stay focused.''

RA could make changes from the weakened side which went down to lowly Washington Nissan UK in the league cup earlier in the week. Stephen Bell is still unavailable, but a number of players come into Woodcock's plans.

Second top Stokesley SC, with a game in hand on their rivals, make the journey to Whitehaven minus injured trio Mark Chisholm, Adam Bramley and Nathan Haslam.

Matthew Homan has returned from holiday and although Richard Hore and Jonathan Newton make the journey, both need fitness tests.

Coxhoe Athletic, in third, visit fourth placed Cleadon SC.

Cleadon manager, Doug Key, cannot call upon Danny Nixon, Tony Fyall, Mark Johnson or Andrew Quinn and opposite number Gary Forrest may also have to make changes. Peter Croft and Philip Best are struggling with injuries.

At the bottom Ferryhill Athletic boss Mark Fanning reports that Drew Kirtley, Ryan Stonehouse and Andrew Howard line up at home to Cleator Moor Celtic, but Stuart Cottam and Scott Brassell are sidelined.

Wolviston could hand a debut to 16-year-old striker Adam Duffield at Harton and Westoe. He is the son of Wolviston stalwart Nigel who has been involved with the club for over 20 years.

Ryhope CW are optimistic that goalkeeper Joe Thompson will resume against Birtley Town. He has been out with a broken elbow.

Washington Nissan UK, unbeaten in four games, have moved up to third from bottom and at home to Annfield Plain could name the side which defeated Darlington RA.