Darlington RA stretched their unbeaten sequence to 14 games when they defeated Harton and Westoe last weekend and secretary Martyn Jackson is adamant that the tremendous spirit within the club is one of the reasons for the success.

"We have a fair amount of talent but it does not matter how good you are, a team only wins through if everybody is pulling in the same direction. There is a great atmosphere typified by the fact that we had five very good players on the bench last Saturday. All the lads want to be involved, which is great for the club," said Jackson.

RA have won 13 and drawn one of their last 14 fixtures to make them the in-form side. A poor start to the season may have cost them their chance of winning the championship but the Brinkburn Road outfit are now through to a couple of finals and confident they can win some silverware.

"We got off to an indifferent beginning but we are now fourth from top still in with a shout. Realistically though, other sides would have to lose a few games for us to end in pole position.

"Our recovery in form has enabled us to progress to the last stages of two cups.

"We meet either Ferryhill Athletic or North Shields in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup we will line-up against Stokesley SC or Wolviston.

"We are not counting our chickens but by Saturday night we could be into the semi-finals of the League Cup.

"It will be another difficult tie, however, playing New Marske on their ground.

"One thing is for certain, if we continue to show the comradeship we have displayed in the last few months we will have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate winning at least one cup this season," enthused Jackson.

Birtley Town manager Dave Smith, meanwhile, this week bemoaned his side's demise which has seen them lose four of their last seven league and cup matches.

Although still among the title favourites, Smith is concerned at the loss of form because until a couple of months ago, Birtley were banging in the goals.

"I cannot put my finger on the problem. We have almost the same squad yet we are struggling to find the net.

"I look at what Darlington RA have achieved and perhaps we can do the same and put together a winning run but one way or another we have got to get out of the slump as soon as possible," said Smith.

Normally, Birtley would not relish the long trip to Whitehaven but Smith says that tomorrow's journey will give him and the players the chance to sit on the bus and hopefully put together a winning team plan.

North Shields, who need to end in the top two positions to qualify for the Albany Northern League, admit they have a big task on their hands to achieve their goal.

"Other teams have games in hand on us but who knows what will happen.

"We can only go out and attempt to win every game and hope that our rivals slip up but it is a tall order," said secretary David Thompson.

The Robins though, are well placed in two cup competitions. They host Ferryhill Athletic in the semi-final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and will again be at home against either Darlington RA or New Marske in the League Cup semi-final.