Shildon manager Gary Forrest says that the league is the top priority even though his team is one win away from competing in the first round of the FA Cup.

Forrest’s side completed a magnificent giantkilling when they won 2-0 at EvoStik League Stourbridge on Tuesday, but the manager is reminding everyone about the club’s priorities. Shildon are seventh in the league, and on Saturday have a local derby at Bishop Auckland.

“As far as we’re concerned, winning the league is our top priority,” he said. “The players must make sure that they’re in the right frame of mind for this game.”

The Railwaymen arrived back from their victorious trip to the West Midlands at 3.15 on Wednesday morning, and Bishops will be hoping to capitalize on any fatigue.

Midfielder Lee Scroggins and defender Darren Craddock both return, but striker Billy Greulich-Smith is missing because of injury, while another striker, Micky Rae, will have a fitness test.

Bishops, meanwhile, have re-signed their former striker Andy Johnson, who scored 38 league goals for them two seasons ago, as well as midfielder Jordan Galkloway from Consett. They will be without defender Graham Irving because of injury, while defender Lewis Brown is suspended.

It’s top v bottom at Millfield, where bottom club Crook entertain league leaders West Auckland. Crook, who lost at Jarrow Roofing in midweek, are without player-manager Nick Harrison and Kieron Weekes, but defenders David Mitchell and Chris Renshaw come back into contention. They have also signed midfielder Stephen Butterworth from Newton Aycliffe. West are without midfielder Alex Francis because of injury, while they are awaiting international clearance for winger Luke Carr.

Fourth bottom Newton Aycliffe are looking for their first win under new manager Peter Dixon at home to Dunston UTS, and they include former Hartlepool keeper James Winter in their squad. Dunston welcome back strikers Scott Fenwick and Michael Dixon, as well as defender Dale Burrell.

Aycliffe have only won once at home in seven league games, while Dunston have lost only once away in five.

Marske, who are third with games in hand on the two above them, have a tricky away game at rejuvenated Newcastle Benfield, and they add Freddie Woodhouse and Connor Hood to the squad that won at Ashington in midweek. Benfield, with Steve Bowey back in charge, will be at full strength.

Second placed Bedlington are at home to second bottom Sunderland RCA, and they have injury doubts over Scott Blandford, Marc Walmsley, Daniel Chambers and Colin Morton, while Craig Hindmarsh has had a knee operation and will be missing for several weeks. RCA manager Marty Swales could sign a new forward before the game, but John Jury, Steve Callen, Joe Hughes and Tony Coe will all have fitness tests.

Guisborough go across to Celtic Nation, and they are strengthened by the returns of striker Anthony Hume and midfielder Liam McPhillips, but Peter Bulmer, Luke Bythway and Danny McWilliams are all missing.

The Nation will give Matthew Read his home debut, while Mike Reed and Dean Douglas both come back into the squad.

Jarrow Roofing, who are at home to Consett, welcome back Kieran Whitehead, Peter Leven, Corey Barnes, but Andrew Hunter, Paul Gardner and Bry Johnson all return.

Consett, who lost at home to Dunston UTS in midweek, welcome back Ryan Bell, which makes them almost at full strength.

Micky Watson takes caretaker charge of Billingham Synthonia at home to Durham City. Watson took over from Lee Tucker, who resigned in midweek. He will be without five players because of injury, but Shaun Clarke, Matthew Osmond, Steve Huggins and Nathan Jameson are all hoping to return. Durham hope to receive international clearance for Frenchman Baptiste Fixot in time, while former Sunderland youth player Lewis Gibbons is also included.

Whitley Bay tackle Morpeth at Hillheads, and Morpeth will be without keeper Karl Dryden and outfield player Mark Lancaster. Manager Nick Gray has made Andrew Keenan and Mark Grant available for transfer.

West Allotment, who are third bottom, play only their third home league game of the season against Ashington, and they are without midfielder Chris Douglass because of injury, while Liam Anderson is a doubt. Manager Paul Stoneman chooses from a squad of 20. Ashington could be without their top scorer Marc Walton, as well as Phil Lumsdon and Richard Flynn.

North Shields who have won their last three games by a 3-0 scoreline, are at Penrith and will be without their top scorer Gareth Bainbridge, skipper Kevin Hughes, full back Stuart Donnison and midfielder Adam Forster. Midfielder Michael McKeown might start his first game of the season after recovering from injury.

In the second division, leaders Norton are hoping to stretch their unbeaten run to eleven games at home to Stokesley, but they will be without striker Rocky Andrews, defender Dale Mulligan and midfielder Jack Proctor. Another midfielder, John Seaton, will have a fitness test. Stokesley will give Alex Dougall, Wilf Dinsdale and Ste Roberts fitness tests, while they include recent signings Matty Crossen from Marske and Greg Upton from Newton Aycliffe.

Third placed Darlington RA are at home to Thornaby, and they welcome Sam England back into their squad, but Jordan Hanratty is still out with an ankle injury. Five other players will have fitness tests. Thornaby will be at full strength, and hope to sign winger Craig Ruddy on loan from Shildon.

Hebburn, who are in fourth, have a tricky away game at Ryhope CW, and they will be without midfielder Marc Costello and defender Ally Downey, who are both suspended. Ryhope CW strikers Andy Appleby and Jack Pounder both return, along with defender Chris Trewick. However, four players are struggling because of injury.

Tow Law host Heaton Stannington at Ironworks Road, and they will be without striker Anth Lee and midfielder Kieran Martin because of injury. Heaton will give a league debut to striker Dan Taggart, who has moved from Morpeth Town.

Willington are hit by player absences for their home game against second placed Team Northumbria, with keeper Stephen Robinson plus outfield players Jack Patton and Stephen Howe all missing.

Second bottom club Esh Winning, without a victory in five matches, are at home to Chester-le-Street, and will be without keeper Dean Caris because of suspension. Chester are without Kevin Dixon because of suspension and Jackie Honour because of injury.

Seaham Red Star have a local derby against South Shields, and they include new signing Gary Shaw from Dunston UTS. Shields have signed a new keeper, Jake Cunningham Whickham play Birtley in a local derby, and the visitors hope to sign midfielder Mark Patterson from Consett before the game, while they add Joe Gill and Mark Oxley to their squad following their recovery from injury.

In the other games, bottom club Brandon face Washington, and Ryton and Crawcrook are at Alnwick.

In the EvoStik League, Blyth are at Barwell, and Whitby are at Rushall Olympic.