Shildon manager Danny Moore says that victory is essential for them at South Shields on Saturday.

The Railwaymen are currently third in the table, but a 1-1 draw with Morpeth left them nine points behind second placed South Shields with just one game in hand.

“Our aim is to go unbeaten in our twelve games between now and the end of the season,” he said.

“We still have over 30 points to play for, and it’s a massive game for us and them.

“Shields are a top side as they’ve shown in recent weeks, and we will have to be at our best to get the right result.”

A virus in the Shildon dressing room laid five players low on Wednesday night, and Moore is hoping that they recover in time. Matty Robson, who scored twice from the spot on Wednesday, is unavailable, while midfielder Anthony Bell is unavailable.

Shields have won their last 20 matches to put them eight points behind North Shields with two games in hand, and they will give Julio Arca and Robbie Briggs fitness tests, while LeePaul Scroggins, Barrie Smith and Stephen Ramsey are all injured.

On the other side of the river, leaders North Shields are at Ashington and will be hoping that Shildon will beat South Shields.

They include new striker Joe Kerridge from Easington in their squad, and he joins another recent signing James Luccock, who has started his third spell at the club.

Ashington include several former Shields players, will be missing Wayne Buchanan and James Harmison, while Kyle Downey will have a fitness test.

West Auckland, who are twelve points above the relegation zone, are at fourth placed Morpeth and will be missing striker Kerry Hedley because of suspension, while midfielder Ross Gardner and defender David Mitchell are both out because of injury. Morpeth expect to be at full strength except for Micky Hall.

Bishop Auckland are at home to Seaham Red Star, and are without midfielders Priestley Griffiths, Alex Francis and Andre Bennett, while striker Ian Ward and midfielder Stuart Thompson are both injured.

Olympic medallist Amy Tinkler will be at the game to help celebrate the completion of Bishops’ pitch renovation.

Seaham have several players struggling because of injury, and they’re hoping that Andy Johnston and Craig Lynch will both pass fitness tests.

Newton Aycliffe face Whitley Bay at Moore Lane, and they are without defender Liam Browne, while midfielder Corey Nicholson is carrying an ankle injury. Whitley who are eighth, will have a full squad to choose from.

Aycliffe have their big Durham Challenge Cup semi final coming up on Tuesday against Billingham Synthonia Guisborough desperately need to beat Ryhope CW, after they managed to turn victory into defeat against Ashington in midweek, leaving them ten points adrift of safety. Lee Farrington and Lee Bythway are both missing, while midfielder Steve Roberts has a knee injury . Jack Bailey is also doubtful.

Bottom club Chester-le-Street also need to win at fourth bottom Washington to keep their slim survival hopes alive.

Consett, who are sixth, are at fifth bottom Jarrow Roofing and manager Mark Eccles will have a full squad. Roofing are strengthened by the return of defender Darryl Donnelly after suspension, while veteran striker Paul Chow also comes back into the squad. Defender Adam Smith is still injured.

Sunderland RCA are at bottom club West Allotment, who have only picked up four points at home all season. The RCA are without keeper Josh Carmichael so he is replaced by Neil Bussey, but Luke Richardson, Nathan Cummings and Liam McBryde are all out. However, top scorer Colin Larkin returns along with Steve Callen, Greg Swansbury and James Armstrong. Allotment and are missing four players for various reasons Dunston UTS are at home to Newcastle Benfield, and they will give fitness tests to Chris Youlden and Danny Capewell.

In the second division, second placed Stockton Town are at next to bottom Darlington RA, and manager Micky Dunwell will have a full squad to choose from, except for suspended winger Kevin Hayes.

The RA add Matthew Hughes, Paul New and Jordan Hanratty to their squad as they look for their fourth home win of the season.

Billingham Synthonia, who are third, are at Bedlington, and they have fitness doubts over Nathan Steel and David Hillerby.

Billingham Town ,in fourth, host Ryton and Crawcrook at Bedford Terrace, and manager Barry Oliver will be missing Elliott Beddow and Mattie Osmond.

Durham City, in fifth and six points below the top three, are at home to Easington, and they welcome back their top scorer Brad Hird, who has scored 17 league goals this season, into the squad. Kieran McWaters is still missing.

Esh Winning, who are bottom, face Hebburn at Waterhouses, and they include three new signings – Nick Marley, Peter Ryder and Andrew Chester -- but Andrew Clarkson and Matthew Allison are both out because of injury.

Hebburn are strengthened by the returns of James Talbot, Scott Wallace and Craig Malley.

Crook Town, who are fourth bottom and two points above the drop zone, are at Whickham, and they are without Jack Vaulks and Brandon Alderson who are both away on County Under 18 duty.

Tow Law, who have kept eight successive clean sheets in the league, are at home to Heaton Stannington, and manager Steve Murray should have a full squad to choose from.

Willington, who recorded their 1,000th Northern League win last week, are at home to Brandon, and they will be missing striker Jason Brazauskas because of suspension.

Brandon, who are seven points below the drop zone, expect to be at full strength.

Northallerton are at home to Thornaby and they welcome back defenders Danny Jones and Marc Kerr, while Thornaby could include two new signings in their squad.

In the other game, Blyth Town, who had a four figure gate for their cup tie with Blyth Spartans in midweek, are at league leaders Team Northumbria.