Peterlee have placed senior players Paul Hinton and Lee Bytheway in charge of team affairs as they try to escape the drop.

John Charlton quit during the week because of business reasons, with Peterlee in the bottom three and problems growing financially off the field.

For the second time this season, chairman Bobby Huntingdon is warning that the club might not survive beyond the end of the campaign.

"There is a big danger that the club might not survive and it's really important that we stay in the First Division," he said.

"We've had four enquiries about the manager's job but we felt it best not to bring in a stranger and give it to two lads the players respect.

"These lads have worked their socks off for the club and they'll be looking after the team until the end of the season."

Huntingdon is hoping for plenty of support for a sportsmen's dinner, that includes World Cup legend Jack Charlton among the guests, on February 18.

Peterlee are hoping some players will return for this afternoon's home game with Chester-le-Street, who welcome back leading scorer Phil Bell after missing the last two months because of injury.

Colin Wake and Gary Shields are both missing because of injury.

Brandon, who have won just once in 12 matches to drop to fifth bottom, are at home to West Auckland, and include youngsters James Winter, a keeper, and midfielder David Foley, who have been signed on work experience from Hartlepool for the rest of the season.

Three other players return, but defender Marc Irwin will have a fitness test.

Bottom club Tow Law, who have 13 home games left, take on Durham City, who are now out of the title race following two home defeats.

Lawyers could make changes following their defeat at Consett last week, while City are without keeper Kevin Wolfe, so Paul Gilmore should replace him.

Midfielders Stephen Stewart and Kevin Dixon are both suspended.

Second-bottom Guisborough, who are facing the possibility of a second points deduction this season for fielding a suspended player, are at home to Morpeth, and are missing several players because of injury.

League leaders Dunston are hoping to stretch their unbeaten league record to 26 games at Whitley Bay.

Keeper Stuart Dawson is expected to return, but Benn Thompson and Scott Robson are both missing. Whitley are expected to be at full strength.

Benfield Saints, who are second, are at Esh Winning, and will probably be close to full strength. Esh are strengthened by the return of striker Tony Healer after injury..

Bedlington need to beat Ashington in their derby to stay in the title race and they will probably be missing striker Tony Shandran because of injury.

Ashington, who have won their last three matches, have a full squad to choose from.

Horden boss Alan Robinson takes charge of his first home game against Thornaby, but he won't be able to include new signing Darren Raulston, from Thornaby, as it is a condition of the deal that defender Raulston doesn't play today.

Shildon have doubts over Leigh Grant and Graham Liddle at home to Billingham Town, who have a doubt over defender Craig Bishop.

In the second division, leaders Newcastle Blue Star are at home to Whickham, and welcome back striker Michael Dixon and Chris Neil to their squad.

Washington Nissan, who are three points behind the Star with two games in hand, take their unbeaten away record to neighbours Washington, and are without midfielder Johnny Butler.

Washington, whose promotion challenge has faltered, are without four players for various reasons.

Northallerton, who are third, are at Alnwick and are missing defender Micky Waller..

Crook Town, who are hanging on to the coattails of the top five, are at Hebburn and are missing striker Danny Mellanby, Andrew Shaw and Ray Stanger because of injury

At the bottom, Willington play Penrith for the second time in four days and hope to do better than their 3-1 defeat in Cumbria.

Ian Robinson, Stuart Rand and Darren Watkins all return to the squad, as Willington try to reduce the ten-point gap between them and safety.

Norton go for their fourth straight win at Kennek Ryhope CA, and they welcome back midfielder Graeme Baverstock.

Ryhope welcome back Lee Harrison and Ryan Kerr.