Bishop Auckland are hoping to continue their promotion charge by beating Whitley Bay at Heritage Park today.

Bishops moved up to second in midweek when they won 2-1 at Durham City stretching their unbeaten run to nine games since they lost to Sunderland RCA in February.

A top three finish will ensure promotion, but several of the teams around them have games in hand, especially Morpeth and Marske.

Manager Steve Riley said; “We’re still relying on other teams, but we just have to keep concentrating on ourselves and keep going for the three points in each game. We literally have seven cup finals left.”

Defender Jeff Smith is out with a broken bone in his hand, but keeper Ed Wilczinski is expected to return after recovering from tonsillitis.

Midfielder Alex Kempster is missing for Whitley, but Aidan Haley, Richard Flynn and Callum Munro all return.

Shildon can strengthen their hold on the leadership even more if they beat Sunderland RCA at Dean Street.

Shildon are 18 points clear of second placed Bishops, but more importantly out of reach of Marske and Morpeth taking their games in hand into account. Shildon have had an excellent week without playing because their pursuers have all dropped points.

Manager Gary Forrest will choose from a full squad, while the RCA are missing three strikers -- Liam Hatch, Jonny Wightman and Colin Larkin – while Michael Charlton and Kev Gordon will both have fitness tests. Ross McNab and Kieron Graham both return to the squad.

Third placed Marske United, who have lost their last three matches, are at home to West Allotment, and they are without top scorer Jamie Owens, defender Josh Myers and midfielder Shaun Ryder all because of injury Marske have been given permission by the league to switch some of their home matches because of the poor state of the Mount Pleasant pitch, but they expect today’s home game to go ahead on their own pitch.

Newton Aycliffe are at home to second bottom Durham City, and manager Peter Dixon is hoping that two or three of his injured players will pass fitness tests.

Durham, who are second bottom and eight points short of safety with eight games remaining, are without Tom Golledge, Dan Field and Sam Norris, whilst Ross Simpson, Ross Stead and Andrei Ardelean are all missing.

West Auckland go to Seaham Red Star, looking for revenge for a 3-1 home defeat last week. Midfielders Chris Emms and Dave Edwards should return, while three other players will have fitness tests.

Guisborough, who were kicked out of the league cup for fielding an ineligible player last weekend are at Bedlington, and they will be missing Jordan Galloway, John Helm and Curtis Round, but striker Connor Smith and midfielder Chay Liddle both return.

Bedlington are third bottom, seven points adrift of safety with just five games remaining.

Consett are at home to North Shields, and they will be missing top scorer Michael Sweet as well as keeper Peter Jeffries, defender Ryan McKinnon and midfielder Lewis Gibbons. Another striker, Luke Sullivan, will have a fitness test.

Time is running out for bottom club Norton, and they have a very tough task at Morpeth. Strikers Phil Caley and Nicky Martin, as well as defender Dale Mulligan, will have fitness tests.

Jarrow Roofing are at home to Ashington, and they welcome back defender Corey Barnes and winger Adam Sakr. Ashington will be without Scott Blandford and Dylan Williamson because of injury.

Ashington manager Steve Harmison has been banned for 12 matches, subject to appeal, following a confrontation with a match referee.

Dunston UTS are at Penrith, and they hope to include Dan Smith and Dan Halliday back in the squad after injury Newcastle Benfield are at home to Washington, and they have several players missing because of injury.

Washington are without striker Joe Walton because of suspension, but Ross Preston and Chris Wallace return, and Steven Stewart has a fitness test.

In the second division, South Shields, who clinched promotion on Thursday night, are at Tow Law.

Billingham Synthonia, Chester-le-Street, Ryhope CW and Team Northumbria are all vying for the other two places.

Synners are at Brandon, and they will be missing defender Steve Huggins, but Josh Rowbotham, David Hillerby, Joe carter and Jason Blackburn all return to the squad. Brandon will have a full squad, but the game is doubtful because of this week’s heavy rain.

Ryhope CW are at home to Willington, who welcome Lewis Milner back into their squad, but Adam Comby and Michael Brown are both unavailable.

Chester-le-Street, who are second have a tricky home game against Heaton Stannington, and they are missing six players for various reasons, but Michael Allan, Craig Marron and Danny Hepplewhite all return. Chester striker Scott Heslop now has 32 league goals for the season.

Billingham Town face Ryton and Crawcrook at Bedford Terrace and are hoping that Bradley Staunch can return to the side, but they have injury doubts over Mark Dixon, Danny Maloney and Jamie Davies.

Northallerton are at Hebburn, who welcome Alan Pegram back from injury, but James Talbot, Lee McMahon, Callum Smith, Chris Smith and Kyle Morris will all be missing.

Esh Winning, who are three points ahead of Birtley, have a must win game at home to Crook Town, and they are missing Paul Sullivan and David Latham, but Curtis Richardson returns from injury.

In the other games, Darlington RA are at home to Thornaby, Team Northumbria face Alnwick, Easington take on second bottom Birtley, and bottom club Stokesley tackle Whickham.