Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne is looking for more quality from his team in their FA Cup preliminary round tie at Albion Sports on Saturday.

Browne went to watch his side’s opponents in Northern Counties East League action on the ground they share at Farsley Celtic, and he knows that they will have to show some improvement if they want to pick up nearly £2,000 in prize money and advance into the first qualifying round.

“I’m looking for that little bit of extra quality with the ball,” he said. “The lads give plenty of endeavour and have a great attitude, but we need that little bit of extra that can win us matches.”

Aycliffe have allowed leads to slip away in two of their games this season, against Ashington and Guisborough.

Shildon don’t have travel as far as Aycliffe, they’re at another Northern League side, Guisborough, and take an unbeaten record with them.

However, player-manager Bobby Moore and fellow defender Matty Robson will both have fitness tests, otherwise they will be at full strength.

Moore said; “This game will be by no means easy, because every time I’ve played at Guisborough, it’s been a tough game. This is not a foregone conclusion, because they’re a good side.”

Guisborough haven’t won a league game yet, but they had a good win over Stockton Town in the last round.

In the Northern League, Bishop Auckland are at North Shields, and still looking for their first league win of the season after they were beaten by a last minute goal at home to Ashington.

Striker Mattie Moffat and midfielder Ben Trotter are both out because of suspension, while another striker, the prolific Andy Johnson, could start the game after recovering from injury.

Bishops have invited applications for their vacant manager’s job and will be interviewing in the near future, but in the meantime Colin Myers will be in charge today.

West Auckland, who are unbeaten in their three league games so far to go second in the table behind Morpeth, are at newly promoted Stockton Town.

They dropped points in midweek against Benfield, and manager Gary Forrest said; “We need to play with more energy and tempo than we did, certainly in the first half against Benfield.”

Striker Amar Purewal is unavailable, while there will be fitness tests for striker Ben Wood, midfielder Adam Mitchell, and defenders Dan Parker and Michael McKeown.

Stockton are without a point in their three league games so far.

In the second division, Tow Law, who are unbeaten in four games in second, go to Alnwick.

Brandon, who won their first game of the season in midweek, are at home to Thornaby, and welcome back striker Vinny Gash, who scored a hat trick last week at Tow Law and still finished on the losing side. Michael Searby is missing because of suspension.

Chester-le-Street, who won in midweek, are at home to Crook Town, and they will be missing Danny Hepplewhite, Kieran Megran, Connor Lyon and Matthew Ridley.

Crook manager Wilf Constantine is hoping that four players will return after missing the midweek game at Brandon, but still has several players missing because of injury. “This will be a difficult game because Chester have had a decent start,” said Constantine.

Durham City go to Billingham Town in fifth place in the table, and playing their second game in 48 hours after drawing at Easington on Thursday night.

Darlington RA, who are still looking for their first win and have dropped to the bottom of the table, are at home to newly promoted Jarrow. The RA lost to a late goal at Whickham in midweek, and they will give fitness tests to Andy Lonsdale and Chris Tarn, while Joe Peel returns.

Esh Winning, who are just below midway in the table, are at Easington, and are hoping that Nick Marley and Matthew Allison will both return to the squad, but Joe Gill is missing. Manager Tony Boakes said; “Easington is another tough game in what has been a tough start to the season.”

Willington are at home to Whickham, and manager Rob Lee might make changes following their home defeat against Ryton in midweek.