Shildon are hoping to beat league leaders Morpeth for the second time this season at Dean Street to keep them on course for second place.

The Railwaymen beat the Northumberland side 2-0 on the opening day of the season, and manager Danny Moore is hoping for a repeat performance to keep them in sight of second place and possible promotion.

Shildon are currently in sixth place, three points behind second placed Marske, with the top two almost certainly going up, reluctantly or not.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s points rather than performances that matter at the moment. If we play badly and win, I don’t mind,” said Moore.

Kyle Patton and Carl Jones will both have fitness tests.

Bishop Auckland, who reached the semi finals of the league cup in midweek when they beat Penrith, are at Consett, the previous club of manager Colin Myers, and needing the points to stay away from the relegation zone.

They include new signing Chris Winn, who was signed from Jarrow Roofing last week, while keeper Adam McHugh and defender Darren Richardson both return to the squad. Striker Andrew Johnson is still out because of injury.

West Auckland, who are fourth, go to bottom club Billingham Synthonia, and manager Gary Forrest expects to choose from a full squad for their first game in a month.

Newton Aycliffe are at Dunston UTS on the back of a good 2-2 draw at North Shields in midweek. Kurt Matthews and Matty Pennal are both unavailable, but otherwise they will be at full strength.

Manager Deano Browne said; “Dunston away is always one of the most difficult fixtures of the season and they have beaten us twice already this season at home in the league and league cup. We feel as though we owe them one, and are confident of going there and giving them a real test.”

In the second division, second placed Northallerton are at Crook Town, and manager Darren Trotter is expected to have a full squad, with Mattie Crossen and Elliott McGlade both back in the squad.

Northallerton are one of three clubs tied on 60 points at the top of the table. They have a better goal difference than Whickham, but their goal difference is worse than that of Blyth.

Crook are without defender Joe Spooner, but striker Joe Calvert returns, and manager Chris Lax said; “It’s yet another tough game, but we are capable of getting a result if we carry on where we left off at Thornaby despite not completing the game.” Striker Wayne Gredziak is also added to the squad after recovering from injury.

Tow Law need to beat Thornaby at Ironworks Road to make up ground on the leaders. They have slipped to sixth place in recent weeks because of inactivity, while Thornaby have leapfrogged over them and are four points ahead.

Defender Adam Knowles returns to the squad after suspension.

Brandon, who jumped to third bottom with a 1-1 draw at Durham in midweek, are at home to Billingham Town, and manager Steve Skinner could choose the same side.

Billingham are playing their second game in 48 hours after losing to Easington on Thursday night.

Darlington RA, who are now second bottom, are at home to Willington, and they hope that keeper Phil Pentony returns, but Jordan Hanratty and Paul Griffith are both unavailable. Assistant manager Mike Colman said; “We were glad to get a win last week at Billingham Town, so hopefully a couple more will follow it.”

The RA are just a point above bottom club Alnwick, who won at Ryton in midweek.

Durham City face Jarrow at Hall Lane, hoping to improve on their 1-1 draw with Brandon in midweek. St Malloy and Phil Hayes are unavailable, while Alex Dobinson and Gary Thompson are back in contention. Manager Olly Hotchkiss said; “We’re looking forward to another tough game. We played very well on Tuesday night and deserved to win, so hopefully we can maintain a high-performance level and be more ruthless in the final third to get three points.”

Chester-le-Street go to Easington, and they have fitness doubts over Danny Hepplewhite and Danny Naylor, while Callum Greaves is unavailable. They are also hoping to give Scott Robson their debut following his transfer from Morpeth.

Manager Colin Wake said; “Easington are one of the better footballing sides that we have played this year, so we expect another good game.”