It's top versus bottom when Northallerton meet Marske in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division this afternoon.

The Seasiders will be hoping that new professional Rob Nicol leads them to a first win of the season. They have drawn two and lost two of their four games, while Northallerton enjoy a healthy lead at the top with three victories in four matches.

Nicol, who plays for Auckland, arrived on Thursday and also included in the Marske line-up is Stuart Mackay following his return from America.

Darlington show one change for their fixture with unchanged Blackhall at Feethams with Derek Coates named in place of Derek Alderson.

Darlington RA miss Stephen Russell visiting Great Ayton. There is better news concerning captain Darren Hickey, who had a scan on his injured leg earlier in the week and it appears the damage is not as bad as first thought and he may return before the campaign is over.

Great Ayton have signed 22-year old medium-pacer and middle-order batsmen Dan Doughty from Kildale.

For their stern test at Saltburn, Middlesbrough bring in James Beaumont in place of Chris Murdoch and Hartlepool, who play Redcar at Park Drive, are pleased to include Paul Gough, although Danny Shurmer cannot play.

Redcar replace unavailable Jason Robinson with Robbie Whelan while Guisborough, at Richmondshire, have Johnny May injured, so Robbie Hornbrook steps in.

Bottom-of-the-table Norton anticipate being unchanged for their Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League game at Philadelphia. Following their splendid victory over Horden earlier in the week, Norton will be more confident of chalking up their first league success.

Phili are stronger with University students Simon Hollingsworth, Glen Read and Ed Crowther all returning alongside Durham County's James Lowe. Fred Napier, who bats at number three, is also named in a full-strength side.

Stockton are at Sunderland without Alan Walker, who was injured playing for Durham. Christopher Parr, 16, retains his place in an unchanged team.

Sunderland cannot call upon Adam Applegarth, who has taken more than 100 wickets in the four years the league has been in existence. A doubt surrounds Stuart Pattison but Alan Mustard and Lee Rushworth are able to turn out.

Chester-le-Street announce a strong line-up for their game with Gateshead Fell at Ropery Lane and in the match of the day, Benwell Hill welcome the inclusion of Simon Birtwisle, Jamie Taylor and John Grey at home to full-strength South Northumberland.

In the Federation Special Durham Senior League, Horden will be looking to extend their lead when they visit Hetton Lyons. The leaders will face a Lyons side minus leading wicket-taker Des Beach. However, Steve Errington is expected to play and hopefully assist his side to success after their defeat last week.

Burnmoor will be at full strength which means Gary Brown will play his first game. Youngster Scott Robinson makes way for Brown against Felling.

Veteran slow bowler Tom Brown is expected to resume for Felling, who are searching for their first win.

Matthew Jane returns for Eppleton at Durham City, so Elliott Alexander reverts to the seconds. City are without Paul Price but Johnny Johnston is available.

The top game in The Readers Durham County League is between Evenwood and Kimblesworth, who both boast 100 per cent records. Paul Watson and Neil Teasdale are unavailable so Evenwood list Jonathan Milroy and Tony McMahon. With Nigel Darling still injured, Chris Gill will play his first game of the season for the visitors.

Andy Allen is back to keep wicket for Willington, whose new South African professional Jaco Mong will play his second game against Ushaw Moor, who cannot include Darren Punshon.

Langley Park, who almost caused an upset last weekend, make the short journey to Esh Winning with Michael Robson and Philip Daughtry back.

For their home game with Shildon, Brandon include Scott Hopson, David Fort and Peter Malloy, who take over from Bobby Orton, Paul Allenby and Jamie Robinson.

Sedgefield go to unchanged Crook Town with James Forster replacing injured Jonathan Clark.

Houghton again give youth a chance as they attempt to record their first win of the season in the Durham Coast League by beating Dawdon. Gavin Keen, Nicky Lawson and Tim Bowman are named as are Ian Dawson and Ian Johnson in the absence of Paul Elliott, Lee Husband, Nick Rosty, Gary Robinson and Fred Chilcot.

Peterlee include Jonathan Buck and Neil Johnson against table-topping Bill Quay, who have Willie Gardner and Anthony Trotter lining up but David Towns is sidelined. Silksworth go to unchanged Easington with captain David Tate, Paul Smailes and Paul Bradford named.