Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour believes that his side will benefit from Monday's 4-0 thumping at home by North Ferriby.

Bishops have missed a chance to climb higher up the table than 13th by failing to win any of their last five matches, and Honour said: "We have now got a very difficult period of five games in nine days out of the way.

"We now know that we have nine league games left, and all of them will be cup finals starting tomorrow at Belper.

"Maybe we needed a hiding to give us a jolt. We had a good chat afterwards for half an hour in the changing room, but we also have to remember the circumstances surrounding recent results, such as the injuries and the schedule.

"But I'm sure the lads will respond tomorrow."

Honour had five players missing on Monday, and Phil Ross answered an emergency call from Honour to play less than two hours before kick off.

Meanwhile, Honour has praised neighbours Spennymoor for coming to Bishops' rescue.

Last Friday lunchtime, Bishops learned that part of the stand roof had blown off Shildon's Dean Street ground in the strong wind, and there was a real chance that their home game against Hyde would have to be postponed.

But a quick phone call to Spennymoor owner Benny Mottram led to Bishops quickly moving the fixture with the league's approval.

Honour said: "We have to thank Spennymoor for helping us out at such short notice. It was a really good gesture."

Bishops also switched their home game against North Ferriby on Monday to the Brewery Field.

Spennymoor's hopes of a top 13 promotion place are fading after they lost at league leaders Hucknall on Monday night. The 2-1 defeat means that Moors are now 19th in the table, ten points adrift of 13th spot, and it looks as if they'll have to chase a promotion spot through the play offs. They took an early lead through Danny Brunskill, but title chasing Hucknall hit back.

Manager Tony Lee said: "That was the best we've played for a long time, but results just aren't going our way. I couldn't fault anyone, and we matched Hucknall for long spells."

Spennymoor's away game at Vauxhall Motors, which was abandoned because of high winds last Saturday, has been re-arranged for next Tuesday.

Blyth could miss out on a play off place after they dropped to 20th following their 1-0 defeat at Marine on Tuesday night. Blyth have signed midfielder Paul Brown from Esh Winning as cover for the rest of the season.

Whitby still have a chance of a top 13 place after they beat Barrow 3-2 on Monday night, then two days later drew 0-0 with Hucknall. Former Darlington striker Carl Shutt has been appointed the new manager of Bradford Park Avenue. Shutt, who also won a title winners' medal with Leeds, took Kettering to promotion into the Conference three years ago.