Spennymoor manager Tony Lee wants his defence to tighten up as the club approaches a crucial stage of the season.

Moors dropped off the leading pack last weekend when they lost at Barrow by 2-0, and Lee said: "We seem to be giving teams a goal start, and then pick ourselves up for the second half. We seem to be slow out of the blocks.

"We're always creating chances, but we can't stop conceding them.

"Most of the goals we concede come from silly mistakes. It wouldn't be so bad if our opponents scored goals which I admire, but they're not."

Lee has taken steps to plug his leaking defence by signing defender Mark Robinson from Hartlepool on a month's loan. Moors are at home to Marine tomorrow and they'll be hoping to find some winning home form.

Spennymoor's away game at Whitby on Boxing Day kicks off at 1pm.

Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is talking in much the same vein as they prepare for their away game at Chorley tomorrow.

Bishops lost 3-2 at home to promotion chasing Leek last Saturday, and Honour said: "At times I think some of our players have forgotten the art of defending.

"There are times when they should put their boot through the ball, instead of trying to dribble it out of defence, for example.

"We're not as ruthless and as resolute as we were in the last two months of last season when we had a long unbeaten run. We've conceded silly goals on too many occasions."

However, Honour was delighted with the debut of Marc Riches in goal last Saturday.

"Marc couldn't be faulted for any of the goals, and he gave us a reassuring presence."

Bishop Auckland have been asked by Gateshead if they went to switch their UniBond League game on Boxing Day from a 3pm kick off to a noon kick off.

Former Whitby striker Aaron Wilford has left York City and signed for Worksop Town in the Premier Division.

Whitby beat Thornaby 3-0 in their North Riding Senior Cup preliminary round tie in midweek, and are now away to York City.

Midweek results: Premier Division: Ashton United 2 Stalybridge 1, Lancaster 3 Marine 1

TOMORROW'S fixtures: Premier Division: Alfreton v Blyth, Barrow v Altrincham, Frickley v Droylsden, Gainsborough v Burscough, Harrogate Town v Ashton United, Radcliffe v Hucknall, Runcorn v Lancaster, Southport v Bradford PA, Spennymoor v Marine, Stalybridge v Wakefield and Emley, Vauxhall Motors v Worksop

First Division: Bamber Bridge v Leek, Chorley v Bishop Auckland, Colwyn Bay v Witton Albion, Farsley v Kendal, Gateshead v Hyde, Kidsgrove v Ossett Town, Lincoln United v Guiseley, North Ferriby v Bridlington, Rossendale v Matlock, Stocksbridge v Prescot Cables, Workington v Belper.