Newton Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon has set his side a target of five wins from their remaining matches to ensure safety from relegation ahead of their away derby at Shildon.

Dixon has been in charge for Aycliffe for two months, and they pulled off a big surprise in midweek when they won at league leaders West Auckland, but he said; “There are still plenty of tough games to play yet, and the players must continue to show the same qualities as they did on Tuesday at West. I’ve set them a target of five wins from our remaining games.”

Aycliffe currently have 26 points, and any club with more than 40 points usually avoids relegation, but there is plenty of life in most of the clubs behind West.

Full back Andrew Green and centre half Dan Mitton both return to the side after missing the midweek win.

Shildon, who are eighth in the table but with games in hand on all the clubs above them, welcome back midfielder Danny Moore and defender Darren Craddock, but winger Adam Rundle is out for six weeks because of injury.

North Shields can go top of the table above West Auckland if they win at bottom club Crook Town, but they will be without their top scorer Gareth Bainbridge because of injury, as well as Kevin Hughes, John Parker and Marc Lancaster. Crook manager Peter Mulcaster could include several youngsters as he builds for next season.

The big game of the day is between Marske United, who are third, at home to Dunston UTS a place below them on goal difference. Striker Sam Garvie returns after injury, but speedy winger Josh McDonald misses the game because of suspension. Dunston will have a full squad, except for Dan Smith who is suspended.

Jarrow Roofing, who are fifth, are at home to Ashington, and include striker Malky Morien who has scored hat tricks in his last two matches against Crook and Norton. However, another striker, Lewis Teasdale is unavailable, but defenders Dan Kirkup and Corey Barnes, plus midfielder Anth Myers all return. Ashington have doubts over midfielder Kyle Oliver, defender Ben Christensen and striker Marc Walton.

Guisborough, who are in sixth place and unbeaten in their last seven league matches, are at Bedlington and will have virtually a full squad, except for unavailable striker Nathan Mulligan. Bedlington are without Craig Hindmarsh because of injury for the rest of the season, while Colin Morton, Stephen Little and Luc Glasper are also out injured. Andrew Keenan and Scott Blandford are both unavailable.

Bishop Auckland are at home to third bottom Celtic Nation, and they will be without midfielder Sean Tarling, but manager David Bayles is hoping to complete the signing of midfielder Adam Cocks from Darlington before the game.

The Nation could be without keeper Andrew Casson who suffered concussion last week, while Lee Hoolickin is injured. Simon Tucker returns after missing last week’s game.

Second bottom Sunderland RCA have drainage problems at Meadow Park, and have switched their game against Durham City to Washington’s ground. They will be missing Ross Preston, Lewis Wood and Clayton Davies, but five other players, including new signing Kieran Megran, are added to the squad. Luke Richardson will have a fitness test. Durham are without defender Chris Wallace because of suspension, but striker Callum Patton should return after recovering from flu.

West Allotment, who are only three points above the relegation zone, are at home to Penrith, and they will be missing eight players, including player-manager Paul Stoneman, for various reasons.

Paddy Atkinson takes charge of his first game as Whitley Bay manager when they go to Consett. Striker Paul Chow will probably return after a head injury, but midfielder Paul Robinson is doubtful and defender Chris Reid is injured. Consett, who played on Thursday night at Gateshead, are without defender Carl Piecha.

Newcastle Benfield are without keeper Andy Grainger, player-manager Steve Bowey and defender Steve Slaughter at home to Morpeth, but striker Steve Baptist returns after suspension. Morpeth are without Stephen Forster, Phil Bannister, Michael Fenwick and Shaun Bell.

Division Two Brandon v Alnwick, Chester-le-Street v Tow Law, Northallerton v Esh Winning, Norton and Stockton v Washington, Ryhope Cw v Billingham Town, Ryton and Crawcrook v Hebburn, Seaham Red Star v Heaton Stannington, South Shields v Willington, Stokesley v Darlington RA, Thornaby v Birtley, Whickham v Team Northumbria Second Division leaders Seaham Red Star are at home to Heaton Stannington, and they will give striker Warren Byrne, signed from Newton Aycliffe, his home debut.

The Stann are without suspended striker Lee Johnson, while Gary Dixon and Graham Cairns are both injured.

There’s a big game between third placed Norton, who are unbeaten at home in the league this season, and second placed Washington. Striker Rocky Andrews and defender Danny O’Brien return to the Norton squad, while there are injury doubts over keeper David Knight and outfield players Karl Charlton, Lee Farrington and Luke Johnson. Norton haven’t lost in ten league games. Washington, who are unbeaten in seven matches, will give Anth Callaghan a fitness test.

The other main promotion contenders, fourth placed Team Northumbria, are at Whickham.

In the relegation battle, bottom of the table Brandon are at home to Alnwick, and they have a new manager, Lee Jewitt, in charge following the midweek resignation of Paul Tunstall.

Third bottom Esh Winning, who have won three out of their last four matches, are at Northallerton, and they add Andy Field and Luke Thompson to their squad. Northallerton expect to be at full strength Second bottom Tow Law, who are six points adrift of Esh, are at Chester-le-Street, and manager Steve Murray includes three new signings, Jordan Lee, Ryan nelson and Ben Addison. Chester are without midfielder Craig Marron because of injury, while they have injury doubts over Stephen Telford and Robbie Draper. However, Jackie Honour, Ben Johnson and Scott Cresswell all return.

.Darlington RA are at Stokesley, and they will be without injured Jordan Hanratty and suspended Nathan Wilson, but David Harrison, Sam England and Liam Brown back in the squad, They have also appointed Danny Shoulder as their new assistant manager to Warren Moncur. Stokesley are missing defender Greg Peel and defender Wilf Dinsdale, but midfielders Dave Edwards and Greg Upton are two of five players who return to the squad.

Willington are at South Shields, where Michael Weston will probably play his 200th game for the club, only days after James Seymour also made his 200th. David Pinkney and Aiden Goodey could also both return to the squad.

Hebburn, who are in fifth place and six points behind the top four, are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and have doubts over Josh Allan, Ally Downey and Callum Smith, while Jak Quantrill is unavailable.

Thornaby winger Craig Ruddy plays his last game for the club before returning to Shildon when they play Birtley. However, Thornaby will be without Kieran and Curtis Edwards, Connor Jones and Sean Davies all because of suspension, but Stephen Morrison, Matty Crossen and Clayton McDonald all return. Birtley, who won 5-0 in midweek, should have a full squad other than Scott Watson who is suspended.

Ryhope CW are at home to Billingham Town and they will be missing Richard Hodgson because of injury, while Jack Pounder and Martin Metcalfe are both suspended. Craig Price, Steve Oakley and Chris Trewick all return. Gary Redman, In Bishop and Joel Callender all return for Billingham.

In the 1.30 kick offs in the Durham Challenge Cup, West Auckland are at Wearside League club Easington, and they will be missing Dave Gordon and Connor Lowes who are both cuptied. West, meanwhile, are expected to make an announcement about a new manager next week.

Billingham Synthonia are at Wearside League club Hartlepool, and they will be missing Thom Hinchley, Tom Atkinson and Ross McNab who are all cuptied, but Ross Gardner, Matt Bell and Danny Jones all return to the side.

In the EvoStik League, Blyth are at home to Belper.