Shildon manager Danny Moore says that his team must win their local derby against Bishop Auckland today to stop their season from petering out.

The Railwaymen have slipped down the table in recent weeks to sixth place because of a run of only one win in eight matches, and Moore said; “The lads have let their personal standards slip in the last few weeks, and they haven’t been switched on enough. The aim at the start of the season was to finish in the top four, and that’s still our target, but our position could have been so much better.

“It’s been disappointing in the last few weeks, but there’s no better game than Bishops for bouncing back to form.”

Midfielder Sam Hodgson and striker Adam Burnicle will both have fitness tests.

Bishops include new defender Wilf Dinsdale, who has moved from Billingham Synthonia, while Priestley Griffiths has left the club. Alex Goundry is added to the squad.

Newton Aycliffe can extend their unbeaten run to nine league matches when they play second bottom Washington at Moore Lane. Aycliffe are currently eleven points above the bottom three, but third bottom Jarrow Roofing have three games in hand on them.

Manager Deano Browne said; “It’s a really important game for us. We’re on a good run, but this will be tough because they’re fighting against relegation.”

Defender Liam Browne and forward Mac Costello are both struggling with injuries, while Jordan Roberts has gone to Australia.

West Auckland, fresh from their won over leaders Morpeth last week, are at Team Northumbria and they include new keeper Shane Bland, signed on loan from Spennymoor, in their squad. Bland has lost his place in the starting line up recently to Jordan Porter.

West manager Gary Forrest, whose side is currently fifth in the table, said; “We need to keep building and improving.”

Second division leaders Northallerton, who have picked up just one point from their last nine, have a tricky away game at Billingham Town, and manager Darren Trotter could make changes after drawing 6-6 with bottom club Alnwick last week.

Third bottom Brandon can do their survival chances a power of good by winning at sixth bottom West Allotment, and manager Steve Skinner said; “It’s a massive six pointer for both teams to either pull away or get closer to the group above us. So it’s going to be a cup final for us both and hopefully we are the team to come away with maximum points.”

Connor Lowes, Lee Blades and Luke Thompson are all missing, while Reece Marshall will have a fitness test.

Second bottom Darlington RA, who have lost their four matches and are two behind Brandon, are at sixth in the table Heaton Stannington, and they will be missing midfielder Michael Joseph because of suspension.

Crook Town , who are in 17th, are at home to Whickham, and they welcome back defender Ryan Coles after injury, but another defender, Matthew Stephenson, is still out injured, as is striker Christian Holliday. They have signed Lewis Dalton from Billingham Synthonia, with James Marley going in the opposite direction.

Manager Chris Lax said; “It’s another game in which we need to be getting points against another promotion-chasing team.”

Chester-le-Street, who climbed up to 11th when they won at Durham in midweek, are at home to Jarrow, but they will be missing Michael and Danny Hepplewhite, Danny McGuire and Lee Mole, but manager Colin Wake is hoping to sign a new forward before the game.

“Jarrow are having a good first season and their manager has got them playing good football so it should be a good game, We have performed well in the last two games so we should go into this game with confidence of a repeat performance and hopefully the same result,” he said.

In the Ernest Armstrong Cup, Tow Law are at home to Bedlington.