Billingham Town are celebrating their first Durham Challenge Cup final appearance for over twelve years, after they pulled off a big shock on Tuesday night.

Town defeated Gateshead, two rungs above them in the pyramid ladder thanks to a Richie Storr goal, to clinch a place in the final against Bishop Auckland.

Manager Alan Robinson said: "I thought we fully deserved to win.

We score a great goal in the first half, when Richie Storr flicked the ball over the keeper from Neil Bishop's pass, and we could have added more goals. We hit the crossbar late in the game.

"From our point of view, it keeps the season alive. We shouldn't have any relegation worries in the league, so to be in a cup final is great.

"In the meantime, though, we must keep our feet on the ground, and concentrate on improving our league position."

Town were without their former Hartlepool winger Paul Dalton last night, because he made a substitute appearance for Dunston earlier in the competition, and is therefore cup tied.

South Shields couldn't make it a Northern League double, as they lost 7-0 at home to Bishops.

The date of the final has yet to be arranged, but it is likely to be around Easter.

Town reached the final in 1989, when they lost to neighbours Billingahm Synthonia at Hartlepool.

The focus on cup competitions changes tomorrow to the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Three clubs are still left in the competition, and two of them have home ties as they strive for a place in the last eight.

Durham City, who have twice won replays at New Ferens Park against Raunds and Dereham, are at home to St Neots, who are currently halfway in the United Counties League.

Durham have signed striker Tony Healer from Dunston, and he will be eligible to play tomorrow because he hasn't played yet in the competition, and he was signed before the seven-day deadline.

Whitley Bay have a tough game at home to Brigg Town, who pulled off a surprise in the last round by winning at Bedlington. Brigg are currently near the top of the Northern Counties East League, and beat Boston United, the current leaders of the Conference, in the FA Cup. Tow Law have a difficult task at Sussex outfit Lewes, who are eight points clear in the Second Division of the Rymans League.

Newcastle Blue Star have had three points deducted for fielding a player whilst he was suspended in a recent game against Dunston.

The deduction means that Star are now joint bottom with Seaham Red Star, and six points below third bottom Morpeth.

Eppleton's woes continue following their poor administration. After being fined four figures for failing to return match report sheets and player registration forms, Eppleton have now been told that because they played an ineligible player in some matches earlier in the season, Murton, South Shields and Horden have all asked for games to be replayed.

Eppleton beat Murton both home and away, drew 0-0 with South Shields, and drew 2-2 with Horden, which means that eight points will be deducted from their total South Shields have been fined £50 by the league for fielding an ineligible player against Shildon in a League Cup tie.

The latest performance of the week awards are: 15th December: Shildon for a 7-0 win over Esh Winning; 12th January Prudhoe for a 5-4 win over Shildon, 19th January Tow Law for winning 3-0 at Ash United in the Vase, 26th January Thornaby for a 2-2 draw at Whitley Bay.

Because of the bad weather, there were no awards for the games over the Christmas and New Year period.

Billingham Town have appointed former Thornaby manager Michael Watson as their assistant manager to Alan Robinson.

Town have been without a number two since Glen Shepherd returned to New Marske last month, and they decided to go for Watson, who quit Thornaby two months ago.

"He's got plenty of experience, and knows plenty about the league," said Robinson.

Three Bedlington players have had a trial with Third Division Carlisle United. Christian Graham, Tony Chapman and James Harmison all turned out for Carlisle reserves last week, and the Cumbrians' manager, Roddy Collins, might follow up his initial interest.

Meanwhile, Bedlignton striker John Milner took his tally for the season to 26 last week with four against Ashington. "He's had a little bit of a bad spell, but he's coming good again," said joint manager Tony Lowery

The league is to inspect the grounds of the promotion contenders in the Second Division, to ensure that they meet the required First Division standard. The league has told clubs that if their grounds do not meet the required standard, they will not be promoted, even if they finish in the top three.

The requirements are: a fully enclosed ground; 150 seats under cover, plus 200 covered places for standing spectators; 150 yards of terracing,; floodlights with a lux value of 120; a fully enclosed pitch area with no gaps; hardstanding all round the pitch for spectators, private walkway for players and officials and a clubhouse on match days.