Northern League clubs could be looking at another reduction in FA Cup prize money.

The FA reduced the amount of prize money in the early rounds by almost half in some cases this season, which was a disappointment to most clubs after the riches of previous seasons.

Two years ago, a club would have made over £40,000 by reaching the first round proper through the qualifying rounds, and this season Shildon, who got as far as Second Division Notts County in the first round, made £22,000 prize money from their run.

But the FA's share of their new television deal, which starts next season, is reduced by a third, which in turn could mean a reduction in FA Cup money. The FA Cup has become the main source of income for clubs every season, and the possible reduction in income is sure to force clubs to rethink their plans.

Second Division Easington might have to play all their remaining games away from home.

Their home game against Northallerton had to be postponed on Tuesday night because the boiler which supplies all the hot water for the showers and for heating is in need of repair. The club doesn't know when the local council, to whom the facilities belong, will be able to repair it.

Manager Peter Grasham said: "We're hoping that the council will make it a priority, but we don't know when they'll do it."

Easington still have four home games to play, against Newcastle Blue Star, Kennek Ryhope, Northallerton and Prudhoe.

They are in action tomorrow in a six-pointer at Norton, and need victory to increase their chances of escaping relegation.

Marske United are looking for a new manager following Micky Hodgson's decision to quit for the second time this season.

Hodgson, and assistant Peter Bell, announced their resignations after the 1-0 home win over Bedlington on Tuesday night, two months after Hodgson returned to the club to try and help them out of relegation trouble.

Club chairman John Hodgson said: "They decided that it was best to make a clean break now." Marske have already had an approach for a player-manager knocked back, and will now advertise the post.

Whitley Bay have withdrawn their application for the UniBond League. Whitley, who were relegated from the UniBond four seasons ago, were one of four Northern League clubs who expressed an interest in joining the UniBond League when it looks for new members at the end of the season.

However, Whitley have now withdrawn their application. It is understood that Whitley have decided not to pursue their interest because they are very unlikely to finish in the required top three of the Northern League. However, Horden and Jarrow Roofing still have applications, but Horden are going to finish in midtable, while the UniBond League, according to its recent statements, feel that Roofing's ground won't be up to the required standard.

Tow Law chairman Harry Hodgson says that the recent appointment of Geoff Young and Brian Fowler as managers isn't for the short term. Young and Fowler took over the managerial reins after Steve Smith parted company last week, and they guided the team to a 4-2 home win over Jarrow Roofing last Saturday giving them some breathing space near the bottom of the table.

Hodgson, who returned as chairman a fortnight ago after John Flynn quit, said: "As far as I'm concerned, I would like to think that they will be in charge for several seasons. They are both Tow Law through and through. Geoff is well respected, while Brian is a full time coach."

There has been speculation about the manager's role, with former Blyth and Whitley Bay boss John Charlton linked to Ironworks Road, but it appears as if Lawyers are happy with Young and Fowler. Young, meanwhile, was "absolutely delighted" with victory last Saturday.

He said: "The win lifted everybody at the club - supporters, players and officials. Everybody responded really well to the situation we were in. It was the first time for a long time that everything clicked into place.

"But the players must keep it going, because we still have some difficult games to play. If we keep playing like that, then we've got every chance of getting out of trouble"

Young and Fowler also persuaded leading scorer Andy McKenna to return to the club, two months after he fell out with previous manager Smith.

Young said: "Andy was fantastic, just like the rest of the player were. He traps the ball well, and he's very good at linking with other players."

Shotton manager Vince Kirkup admits that last Saturday's home defeat by Whickham was "very disappointing."

Shotton's tenure of their Northern League place is looking increasingly insecure, and going into tomorrow's away game at Northallerton they are ten points adrift of safety with only five games remaining.

Kirkup said: "Last Saturday's defeat was a big let down, especially as we'd won three games out of four not so long ago. I thought our last two matches against Ryhope and Whickham were winnable.

"We must now aim to win four out of our last five matches. Some players have to show more effort and commitment than they did on Saturday.

"Plus, we must still try and get ourselves off the bottom of the table, in case the clubs who are trying to come up from the Wearside League don't reach the required standard."

At the moment, Wearside League club North Shields and Northern Alliance outfit West Allotment are both pushing for promotion, and they will have their grounds inspected next week by Northern League officials.

West Allotment are understood to have a problem with their pitch, but the rest of their facilities are up to standard, while North Shields have recently installed floodlights.

Brandon signed striker Scott Bell from Newcastle Benfield Saints before last Saturday's home game with Peterlee, and he scored on his debut in the 1-1 draw, and then got two more against Washington in midweek.

Former Hartlepool midfielder Tony Skedd, who has played for several Northern League clubs, has signed for Jarrow Roofing.

Neil Hixon admitted that he is pleased to be back in management following his appointment earlier in the week at South Shields.

Hixon was manager at Seaham Red Star last season, and almost took them to promotion with a long unbeaten run, before quitting to become assistant to Billy Cruddas at Durham City in October.

However, he remained at the Archibalds Stadium for just a couple of months.

"I'd much rather be a number one than a number two," he said. "It didn't work out the way we thought it would at Durham, and I found it difficult, so I thought it best to move on.

"I think I've taken on a challenge which is similar to the one I had at Seaham.

"I'm quite impressed with the club's plans for the future, and they want to get out of this division. The new chairman, Paul Whellans, has been very open with me.

"But I won't be making any changes yet. There's only seven league games left, so I'll have a look at the players I've got, and then make any changes during the summer."

Hixon's first game in charge will be at South Shields on Saturday.

Ken Houlahan has denied that he has left Second Division Evenwood completely.

Houlahan quit as team manager a fortnight ago, and brought in former Middlesbrough and Sunderland player Stan Cummins to look after the team. But Houlahan still has several responsibilities at the club, and is still its managing director and director of football, as well as being the secretary of the recently formed Evenwood Town AFC Community Amateur Sports Club Limited.

Leading scorers

Division one

Garry Barnes (Shildon) 28, Roy Allen (Bedlington) 26, Paul Chow (Jarrow Roofing) 23, Wayne Edgcumbe (Whitley Bay) 22, Lee Ellison (Shildon) 21, David Wells (Billingham Synthonia) 20 , Adam Johnston (Jarrow Roofing) 18, Tony Hanson (Washington) 16, Paul Hinton (Peterlee) 16 , Paul Beavers (Morpeth) 15, Gary Messer (Esh Winning) 15, Jamie Clarke (Thornaby) 14, Craig Nelson (Jarrow Roofing) 14, Martin Bowes (Chester-le-Street) 14, John Ryan (Guisborough) 14, Andy McKenna (Tow Law) 13, Carl Chillingsworth (Billingham Town) 13

Division Two

Alan Hogg (Ashington) 24,Lee Ludlow (Newcastle Blue Star) 24, David Snow (Crook) 22, Alu Banguera (Newcastle Benfield Saints) 21, Paul Terrell (Consett) 21, Stephen Young (Newcastle Benfield Saints) 21, Jon Wightman (Kennek Ryhope CA) 21, Michael Pitt (Consett) 20, Craig Tate (South Shields) 17 , Paul Diamond (Murton) 15, Kevin Shoulder (Willington) 15, Paul Taylor (Seaham Red Star) 15, Ian Robson (Whickham) 14, Chris Garbutt (Norton) 13, Ian Matthews (Murton, 11 for Washington Nissan) 13, Gary McDonald (Prudhoe) 13

Tomorrow's fixtures

Albany Northern League Division One

Bedlington v Penrith, Chester-le-Street v Billingham Synthonia, Dunston v Whitley Bay, Durham City v Jarrow Roofing, Esh Winning v Guisborough, Morpeth v Billingham Town, Peterlee v Marske United, Shildon v Tow Law, West Auckland v Washington

Division Two

Ashington v Seaham Red Star, Consett v Newcastle Benfield Saints, Crook v Whickham, Evenwood v Washington Nissan, Murton v Hebburn, Newcastle Blue Star v Alnwick, Northallerton v Shotton, Norton v Easington, Prudhoe v Kennek Ryhope CA, Willington v South Shields.