Marske defend best away record at Dean Street

Marske are joint third in the table having dropped just seven points away from home this season, while Shildon who are in seventh have dropped only five at home, so whoever wins will receive a big boost for their title hopes.

Marske manager Carl Jarrett said; “I think it will be a tough game against a good strong team. Shildon are playing well and so are we in the league. There are a lot of games still to play, but this is a big one. Everyone is looking forward to the game.”

Marske will be without midfielder Glen Butterworth, but another midfielder, Austin Johnston, returns.

Shildon are hit by injuries, with midfielders Mark Hudson and Lee Scroggins, defenders Carl Jones and Liam Atkin plus winger Adam Rundle all missing..

Leaders West Auckland, who are a point clear at the top but below par at the moment, are at North Shields.

West have injury doubts over striker Matty Moffat and midfielder Brian Close and full back Jonny Gibson, while defender Adam Wilkinson is missing because of a hamstring injury. They could include a new striker in their side.

Shields, who are in fourth place, could give new signing Gary Day his debut, while Joe Elliott, Marc Lancaster and Dean Walker are all added to the squad that won in the Vase last week.

Guisborough, the form team of the division in second place, face Consett at the King George. They have injury doubts over strikers Danny Earl and Tom Mitchinson, and midfielder Peter Bulmer, but midfielder Chay Liddle returns to the squad. Kenny Lindoe is still in charge of Consett, and he includes defenders Carl Piecha and David Brown on their returns from suspension and injury. Matty Slocombe is also doubtful. Guisborough are unbeaten in their last eleven league matches.

Jarrow Roofing are at Newcastle Benfield, and they welcome midfielders Shaun Vipond and Corey Barnes back into their squad. Striker John Campbell, who briefly returned to Roofing from Oxford, has returned to the League Two club for the rest of the season. Benfield, who beat title chasing Shildon in midweek, will give forward Steve Baptiste a fitness test, while midfielder Mark Convery returns after missing the midweek game. Defender Chris Carr and player manager Steve Bowey are both missing because of injury.

In the relegation fight, fifth bottom Newton Aycliffe are at home to second bottom Celtic Nation, and they will be missing suspended defender Andrew Green, otherwise they will be at full strength.

The Nation, who are seven points from safety, are without Jonny Allan and Tyler Bowman because of suspension, while Kyle May has returned to Workington after his one month loan. Matthew Brown is also missing because of injury.

New Ashington boss Steve Harmison takes charge of his first league game at home to Sunderland RCA in a relegation six pointer.

Ashington, who are seventh bottom have lost their last six league matches, although they beat Bishop Auckland in the league cup in midweek. But Harmison has some problems to contend with, as James Taylor, Andrew Johnson, Steven Shaw and Andrew Ferrell are all ruled out through injury whilst Wayne Buchanan comes back into the reckoning and Richard Flynn faces a fitness test.

The RCA, who have won two of their last three away league games, will be at full strength now that Lee Bythway, Paul Weldon, Tony Coe and Joe Hughes are returning.

Billingham Synthonia, who are fourth bottom, are at Whitley Bay, and hoping that striker Michael Sweet can continue his prolific recent form of eleven goals in three matches. Whitley have problems in the centre of defence, with four centre halves missing for various reasons.

Bishop Auckland, who lost in midweek at Ashington,  are hoping for a lift away to Morpeth, and manager David Bayles will make changes, as keeper Scott Pocklington and midfielder Sean Tarling are both available after missing the midweek game. Striker Andy Johnson and midfielder Glen Lane are both doubtful, while there could be a new signing.

Durham City are at home to Penrith, and manager Ian Chandler will make changes after a poor performance last week against West Allotment. Defender Arjun Purewal returns from suspension, but Chris Wallace is still banned. Penrith have won their last five matches.

In the second division, leaders Seaham Red Star are at Whickham, and they will be missing teenage striker Matty Pennal, who has returned to Darlington after his loan spell, and another striker, Adam Johnston, who is working.

Second placed Norton go up to Alnwick, and they will be missing midfielder Karl Charlton because of injury, while defender Dale Mulligan will have a fitness test on a hamstring injury. Alnwick were thrashed 9-0 by leaders Seaham Red Star last week.

Washington, who are third, are at home to Stokesley, and they will be without striker Joe Walton because of suspension, but defender Paul Wardle and top scorer Mark Davison both return. Washington lost ground when they were beaten at Ryton last week.

Team Northumbria, in fourth, are at home to Northallerton, who include new signing James Oliver from Newton Aycliffe. However, Ben Darville and Simon Pinkney are both doubtful.

Hebburn , who are seven points behind fourth with five games in hand, are at home to bottom club Brandon, and they welcome back their top scorer Channon North, as well as Ross Toward and Josh Allan. Brandon, who could go level on points with second bottom Tow Law if they win, welcome Billy Snaith and Jack Marley back into their squad, while new signing Richy Brown will make his debut.

Esh Winning, who have won lost only twice in their last eight matches, are hoping to continue their revival at Darlington RA, and manager Chris Blakelock could have an unchanged squad. The RA, who are seventh, are without six regulars for various reasons.

Heaton Stannington are at home to Ryton, and they are missing Jack McDougal and Gary McGarrigle, while keeper Shaun Backhouse is unavailable, so Dan Rule will deputise. Gary Dixon will have a fitness test.

Billingham Town, who are hoping that they will be given the points from last week’s abandoned game at Whickham, are at home to Birtley, and will be missing Michael Dalton, Danny Ballantyne and Harry Taylor, but Callum Browne, Drew Lambert, Alan Taylor and Joel Callender all return. Birtley are without Anthony Ward, Robert Smith, Nathan Burrell and Lee Best, but Kai Hewitson and Paul Oxley both return.

Willington, who have won five out of their last six matches, are at home to Ryhope CW and they welcome back Stephen Howe and Graham Lazonby, while Steve Robinson will play in goal in place of David Moffat. Ryhope are without Craig Hughes, while Phil Hall will have a fitness test.

Chester-le-Street are at home to South Shields, and they will be without Craig Marron, Scott Heslop, Danny Hepplewhite and Jake Stafford, while Ben Johnson and Jack Honour both return.

In the EvoStik League premier division, Blyth are at Buxton, and Whitby are at home to Belper.

The draw for the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup is: Spennymoor v Shildon, Gateshead v Easington. Games are due to be played by March 7th.