Spennymoor's on-field problems increased when they finished the 2-0 defeat at home to Matlock with just eight men - and now manager Graeme Clark is racing against time to raise a strong team for the long trip to Leek Town tonight.

Moors had recent signing Gareth Mordy and midfielder Stuart Niven dismissed in the game, but they also had centre half Micky Gough carried off with a suspected broken ankle, and midfielder Andy Brown limped off with a leg injury

Clark said: "By 15 minutes, we lost both our centre halves, but the players kept on battling away.

"At least they showed a lot more heart than they did when they were beaten at Dunston last Tuesday night."

Steve Hutt is also on the injury list, while defender Curtis Taylor is suspended, and midfielder Paul Talbot has joined Northern League club Benfield Saints.

Gough went off after just three minutes, and Mordy soon followed him for retaliation following a challenge by a Matlock striker.

Moors missed a great chance to take the lead when Andy Brown rounded the keeper, but missed an open goal. Matlock took the lead when Simon Barraclough scored from six yards, and then Rocky White headed in a second.

Niven was then shown his second yellow late in the game following a foul.

Bishop Auckland wasted several chances in a 0-0 draw at Bamber Bridge, but manager Brian Honour drew some comfort from the performance.

"At least we picked up a point, and gained some ground on the others," he said.

"But if we had taken our chances in our last three games, we could have had seven points and not just one."

Bishops should have had the points sewn up by half-time, but they couldn't get the ball in the net. Anthony Woodhouse missed three good chances, one in particular when he rounded the Bamber Bridge keeper, but then hit the post from just a few yards out.

Bishops are still nine points adrift of safety, with eleven games remaining.

Blyth, who are fourth bottom, were beaten 2-0 at home by Hyde United.

Whitby dropped to fifth place after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Frickley, Jack Wilkinson scoring their equaliser after 66 minutes.

Gateshead missed out on a place in the Durham Challenge Cup final when they were beaten 2-1 by Hartlepool Reserves.

Gateshead led at one point with a goal by Paul Thompson, but Pool hit back with a Michael Maidens free kick before half-time.

Phil Turnbull then fired the second two minutes after half time.

Pool play Dunston in the final on Easter Monday morning at Durham City.