Spennymoor are hoping to sign former Darlington midfielder Phil Brumwell in time for tomorrow's Premier Division away game at Stalybridge.

Moors boss Tony Lee has decided to move quickly to strengthen his squad after they slumped 4-2 at home to Bradford on Tuesday night, his first defeat on his return to the club.

Lee said: "Phil should be able to give us some experience in the midfield. The youngsters in there need some help."

Brumwell was released by Darlington at the end of 2001-02 season, and after playing for Blyth and West Auckland last season, moved to Whitley Bay during the summer.

Moors are also in the hunt for several other players, and there is the possibility of another signing before Saturday.

Bishop Auckland have now gone three games without a win after they could only draw 1-1 with Workington on Wednesday night.

Bishops were fortunate to be on level terms at half time as Workington swarmed around the Bishops' goal.

Bishops have won another award for their exploits in August. The club has won the Endsleigh Sports Insurance goalscoring award for scoring 16 goals during August, eight of them against Flixton in the FA Cup.

Gateshead are facing another three point deduction.

After using Robert Southern in a draw at Leek early in the season, Gateshead could have another three deducted by the league for using George Weatherly in a 1-0 win over Chorley. Gateshead thought that he was on their retained list, but didn't check, and subsequently appeared as an unregistered player.

The new Conference set up might not get underway next season. The Conference intends to set up a North and South Section to feed into its present one division, but the plans have upset the Ryman League, who are objecting to the plans which they see as weakening their league.

The Ryman League has enlisted one of the top legal brains in the country to fight their case, and given the possible long drawn out timescales of such disputes, the Conference might have to wait.

It would certainly throw the plans of quite a few clubs into turmoil, as many are spending heavily on upgrading teams and facilities.

Midweek results

Premier Division: Alfreton 3 Stalybridge 1, Ashton 1 Whitby 3, Barrow 1 Marine 1, Burscough 0 Lancaster 1, Gainsborough 3 Wakefield and Emley 0, Harrogate 2 Blyth 1, Radcliffe 4 Droylsden 2, Southport 0 Runcorn 3, Spennymoor 2 Bradford PA 4, Vauxhall Motors 1 Altrincham 1, Worksop 3 Frickley 0

First Division: Bamber Bridge 1 Witton Albion 2, Belper 0 Leek 2, Bridlington 2 Stocksbridge 2, Colwyn Bay 3 Chorley 4, Farsley 2 Ossett Town 1, Kendal 1 Gateshead 2, North Ferriby 0 Lincoln United 1, Rossendale 1 Guiseley 1, Hyde 4 Prescot Cables 1, Bishop Auckland 1 Workington 1, Kidsgrove 1 Matlock 1

Tomorrow's fixtures

FA Cup first qualifying round: Bishop Auckland v Pickering

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

First Division: Gateshead v Prescot Cables, Kidsgrove v Kendal, Matlock v Lincoln United.