Evenwood have the opportunity to pull further away from the chasing clubs when they visit Etherley this afternoon.

Second-top Tudhoe have a free day and victory would see Evenwood 27 points ahead, even if Willington also win their game against Mainsforth.

"We are playing very well at present, but there are three other sides in contention for the championship and it is going to be a difficult run-in," claimed Evenwood captain Craig Rutherford.

"The ball is in our own court and if we win every match then we will retain the title, but this is a tall order and it could be the leadership will change hands once or twice before the final game."

A blow to Evenwood's chances is the absence of John Maughan, who is doubtful. Paul Watson and Paul Townsend definitely miss out. Tomorrow, Evenwood meet Ushaw Moor at Willington in the final of the League Cup. Michael Pedelty and David Jacobs are named ahead of James Alderson and Bailey.

Etherley miss Michael Crane, Richard Balmer, Colin Barker, Drew Kirtley and Shaun Rudd. Danny Hinge resumes alongside Michael Dunning, Richard Mangles, Peter Lyall and Eddie Seery.

Tudhoe are without a fixture and Willington will equal them on points if they defeat Mainsforth.

The visitors, who claimed another Durham Senior League scalp when they defeated South Shields in the DRV Challenge Cup on Wednesday, will have a full squad to choose from.

Kimblesworth will be out to avenge an early-season defeat when they visit Crook Town. Victory would take them to within five points of Tudhoe as the club aim to win both the First and Second Division championships. The Second XI have lost just once and lead the Division.

"We are fourth at present, still 32 points behind Evenwood but we do have a game in hand and so far as we are concerned, it is all to play for," said Kimblesworth secretary Malcolm Bartle.

"Following an uncertain start, when we lost a couple of games, we have come good and feel we can go all the way."

David Showler returns at Crook, who are without the injured Andy Burgess and unavailable David Snow. Philip Jewell has recovered from an injury and also included are David Nevins and Mel Thompson.

Esh Winning will have Martin Shoulder playing his first game for almost two months. He has been out with a dislocated shoulder and although Eddie Watson, Mark Davison and John Carmedy have also been troubled, the trio are pencilled in to play in the home game with Shildon.

Ryan Boardman, 15, makes his debut for Sedgefield in the home game with Ushaw Moor. Richard Brown and Gary Melvin are also listed since James Forster, Paul Richardson and Stephen Flockert are all unavailable.

Langley Park will have to get along without Lee Wright for at least a month. He has damaged a knee and a further change for the visit of Brandon is the inclusion of Greg Coates for Malcolm Shelton.