Bishop Auckland play their first home game for nearly two months when they face Spalding at the Brewery Field today in the UniBond League First Division, writes Ray Simpson.

Bishops need to start making their home advantage count, as they are nine points adrift of safety and a second successive relegation is looming unless they begin a revival soon.

Manager Brian Healy said: "We need to win, and if my players can find their form, then we'll beat Spalding."

However, Healy has been unsuccessful in bringing in new blood, even though he has seen plenty of games in the last few weeks.

He said: "I've been so near and yet so far. I nearly had two for last Saturday, but they went elsewhere. I thought I had a player lined up from another professional club, but he's also gone somewhere else. It's very frustrating."

In the Premier Division, Whitby make the long journey to Leek Town, while Gateshead are at home to Radcliffe Borough Blyth, the last surviving north east club in the FA Trophy, are at First Division Warrington.