Horden manager Eddie Freeman is looking for five wins to avoid relegation, beginning today against third bottom Chester-le-Street.

Horden have slipped to sixth bottom after a good start, but their ground improvements have forced them to play most matches away, and they now have 11 home games left in the last 13.

Freeman, who chooses from a full squad, said: "If we're going to stay in this division, then I reckon we need at least five wins. Our problem has been inconsistency. We've conceded 60 goals, which is more than three of the teams below us, and that's far too many."

Chester could make changes after picking up one point in six matches.

Leaders Durham, who haven't won in their last three, are still without several injured players at home to Washington.

Second-placed Bedlington have a tricky game at Guisborough, who beat Durham last week. Their teenage keeper, Michael Robinson, is on trial at West Brom, so Adam Cleminson takes over in goal. Strikers Chris Rue and John Milner are unavailable.

Title favourites Dunston are at home to Morpeth and have a slight injury doubt over striker Ben Thompson. This will be Dunston's seventh successive home game.

Shildon need to win at Billingham Synthonia to keep their flickering title hopes alive. Skipper Danny Key and central defender Graham Liddle are both injured, but midfielder Paul Campbell returns. Synners are without striker Dave Connor and defender Dave O'Gorman, who are suspended.

Durham Challenge Cup finalists Billingham Town are at home to Tow Law. Town welcome back Lee Ure, Jason Ainsley and Graeme Baverstock, who were all missing at Spennymoor in midweek, but Tow Law are missing five players for various reasons.

Esh Winning can stay on course for their best finish in the league if they defeat West Auckland. Esh are ninth in the table and will be at full-strength, just like West.

Jarrow Roofing are without Ged Quinn, Chris Leonard and Andy Smith because of injury at home to Peterlee, so manager Richie McLoughlin again includes himself on the bench.

Marske are without suspended defender Craig Gibbin at home to Brandon, who are missing defenders Elliott Milburn and David Johnson, while striker Andy Purvis has left the club.

Whitley Bay are without recent signing Neil Shotton because of injury as they look for their first win under new manager Ian Chandler at home to bottom club Penrith.

Second division leaders Consett can inch closer to promotion if they beat Murton.

Jeff Sugden is unavailable, while Murton include new signings David Angel and David Baxter from Shotton and Hebburn respectively.

Prudhoe need to avoid defeat at second-placed Ashington to keep in touch with the leaders, and they hope to sign defender Micky Cowans from Benfield Saints in time for the game.

Washington Nissan, who are fifth, welcome back Neil Jackson at home to Northallerton, who need to win to keep their promotion hopes alive. Eddie Hebron is suspended, but Micky Waller and Lee Trainor both return.

Crook can do their survival hopes a power of good if they beat second bottom Easington at the Millfield, but they have doubts over defender Les Langley and striker David Snow.

Willington take on Benfield Saints, with the controversy from their previous encounter, which was abandoned back in October, still rumbling on. Striker Jon-Paul Tallentire returns for Willington.

Bottom club Shotton need to win at Hebburn after losing twice in the last week, and six players return to the squad, while Lee Peachey has been placed on the transfer list at his own request.