Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that Moors won’t be taking anything for granted for their big derby FA Cup tie against Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park today.

Bishops and Moors are both in excellent form, with both having lost just one match apiece this season in league and cup, and there could well be a four figure crowd for the game.

“I’ve watched Bishops in action twice recently, and in the games I’ve seen them play, they’ve scored seven goals. They’re a strong powerful side going forward, so we’re not going to take them lightly, we’ll need to be at our very, very best defensively.

“But we’re pretty confident, because we’re in a rich vein of form as well. We had a very good win at Brighouse in midweek.”

Moors will be without midfielder Shane Henry, wide man John McReady and striker Craig Lynch, all because of injury, but midfielder Andrew Stephenson returns to the squad.

Bishop Auckland manager David Bayles said; “The games against Spennymoor are always what the fans from both sides look forward to and with this one being an FA cup game, then it’s an extra special derby. There is a real buzz about the place and everyone is looking forward to the game, especially the players. Spennymoor have a dressing room full of quality players who have played much higher than the division they are in so in some respects we have nothing to lose, but our players will compete and battle all the way and whoever wins will know they have been in a game.”

Striker Kyle Davis will be missing for Bishops, while new signing Olly Hotchkiss is cuptied, having already played for Durham.

There are some very attractive games elsewhere. Shildon who are second in the ENL, are at home to Whitby, two divisions above them in the EvoStik Premier. Midfielder Mark Hudson and defender Carl Jones are both injured, while wingers Adam Rundle and Chris Emms plus striker Micky Rae will all have fitness tests.

Manager Gary Forrest says: “For me the pressure is all on them, again it’s nice to play a game without the expectation of winning. They have improved their form over last couple of games and I think the people of Whitby will be expecting them to get something out of the game.”

Whitby beat Shildon at the same stage seven years ago.

Consett go across to Workington from the Evo-Stik Premier, and they will be without defender unavailable defender Ryan Bell, otherwise they’ll be at full strength. Manager Kenny Lindoe watched Workington in midweek, and said; “They’re very solid and don’t give much away, but if we play our A game, I believe we’ll have a good chance of causing an upset.”

Newcastle Benfield are at home to Bridlington from the Northern Counties East League, and they include new striker Dan Taylor, signed from Spennymoor last week, but they are missing defender Andrew Leeson. Benfield haven’t won since they stunned Kendal in the last round, and manager Neil Saxton said; “If we perform like we can, we are confident we can get a positive result.”

West Allotment have a tough task against EvoStik League Lancaster City who are managed by former Newcastle defender Darren Peacock. They will be without midfielder Mark Fenwick because of suspension so manager Paul Stoneman chooses from a squad of 20. Stoneman says: They’re a really good side. We need to be at the top of our game, and if we are, then we’ve got a chance. We’ve got nothing to lose, so we’re going to give it our best shot.”

Lancaster won 6-0 at Washington in the last round.

Ashington, who won their first league game of the season in midweek, are at home to Scarborough Athletic, another EvoStik League team. Their top scorer, Andrew Johnson, is unavailable as well as midfielder Kyle Oliver and defender Stuart Elliott, but striker Dean Critchlow returns.

At least one team from the ENL will go through to the next qualifying round from the clash between Marske United and Dunston UTS. Marske, who reached the last qualifying round last season, will be at full strength with full back Matty Crossen back in the squad after a loan spell at Stokesley. They have also signed striker Joe Melvin from Thornaby.

Dunston will be without defender Craig Hodgson because of injury, otherwise they will have a full squad.