Bishop Auckland manager David Bayles is hoping that his players will shrug off their injury problems and reach the third round of the FA Vase when they play 1874 Northwich on Sunday afternoon.

Bishops are badly hit by injuries as they try to improve their record-breaking run, their first in the competition proper. Defenders Ben Riding, Graham Irving, Lewis Brown and Elliott Woods are all injured, but midfielder Sean Tarling returns after missing the 6-2 midweek defeat by Marske, and top scorer Jonny Butler returns after suspension.

“We are looking for a reaction after our midweek defeat and the lack of fit defenders only makes matters harder for ourselves,” says Bayles, “but if we are to progress in the Vase then we need to overcome these hurdles. 1874 Northwich look to be a very good side and we’ll need to be at our best to get a result.”

Northwich are fourth in the NWCL Premier Division table, having lost just once in the league this season. The match kicks off at 4pm, and Bishops are hoping for a higher than average crowd.

By the time Bishops play, hopefully there may be several Northern League teams already through to the last 64.

West Auckland, losing finalists in 2012 and last season, have their eyes set on a third Vase final when they start the competition at home to Shaw Lane Aquaforce, and they add new signing Josh Rowbotham, signed from Guisborough, to their squad. Striker Matty Moffat has scored five times in his last two matches. Shaw Lane are second in the Northern Counties East League.

Shildon, who reached the semi finals two years ago, are at home to Runcorn Town, and manager Gary Forrest will choose from a full strength squad, except for striker Billy Greulich-Smith, who is still suffering from a hamstring injury. Runcorn are currently 16th in the NWCL Premier Division table.

Marske United go into their tie at Stokesley against Barton Town Old Boys having scored six in midweek at Bishop Auckland, but Danny Brunskill, who scored two of those goals, is Vase tied having already played for Bishops. Another striker, Joe Melvin is cuptied having played for Thornaby. Barton are seventh in the NCEL. The game has been switched because the Mount Pleasant floodlights aren’t ready after going out unexpectedly during last week’s game against Consett.

Four times winners Whitley Bay head to Congleton, and not exactly in the best of form, having conceded 15 goals in their last three matches. Manager Leon Ryan chooses from a full squad, except for striker Paul Robinson, who is suspended.

Ryhope CW have a tough away game at Glossop North End, who lost to Whitley Bay in the final in 2009. Richard Hodgson, who won the Vase with Whitley Bay four years ago, returns after suspension, while Phil Hall, Jack Pounder, James Cook and Nathan O’Neill also return. Ryhope have signed keeper Gareth Young from Durham City.

Seaham Red Star travel across to Atherton Collieries, who have won all thirteen of their league games in the North West Counties League First Division.

Manager Mark Collingwood will give a debut to new signing Dennis Knight from West Auckland , and he has wielded the axe and left out striker Josh Home-Jackson for missing training in midweek, while defender Chris Storey is Vase tied and striker Shaun Reay is unavailable. Captain Chris Scott and defender Darryl Donnelly both have fitness tests.

Morpeth have a very tough away tie at Tadcaster Albion, one of the strongly fancied teams from the NCEL, and are currently top of the table. Recent signing Keith Graydon, Spennymoor’s match winner in 2013, is struggling, along with Sean Taylor, Matty Grieve, Chris Jewels, James Novak, Michael Chilton and Steven Anderson.

Alnwick, who were given a bye in the first round, are at home to St Helens. Alnwick gave Whitley Bay a big scare in the Northumberland Senior Cup in midweek before going down 6-4.

There are four all ENL ties. The pick of the bunch is probably the tie between Dunston UTS and Guisborough. Dunston, who lost in midweek at North Shields, are hoping that keeper Liam Connell and striker Dan Halliday will return, while Guisborough add striker Damien Stevens and defender Dan McWilliams to their squad, but midfielders Chay Liddle and Tommy Marron are both missing. Guisborough won the league encounter between the two last week.

Newcastle Benfield’s home tie against Ashington should also be a meaty encounter, but Benfield player-manager Steve Bowey misses the game because of injury. Striker Dillon Morse returns after having a trial with Oxford but defender Andy Leeson is unavailable.

Ashington are without their top scorer Marc Walton and midfielder Phil Lumsden Sunderland RCA are at home to North Shields , and manager Marty Swales adds Gavin Barton, Lewis wood, Gary Wood and Andy Brown all return, while Michael Charlton, Clayton Davies and Ross Preston all need fitness tests. Shields are without both regular full backs, Stuart Donnison and John Gray, plus strikers Peter Glen-Ravenhill and Dean Walker. The sides have played once already this season, Shields winning 3-0.

Consett play neighbours Whickham at Belle View, and they will give fitness tests to defender Scott Martindale and midfielder Jonny Wright, while Matty Slocombe, Danny Craggs, Josh Gray and David Brown are all missing.