Any North-East clubs who progress into the new Conference North could be facing some mammoth trips next season.

The UniBond League has circulated its clubs with details of the proposed league, and assuming the allocations stay the same, then travel costs are going to increase significantly.

Thirteen clubs are going to be promoted from the UniBond League at the end of the season, which could include Spennymoor, Whitby and Blyth.

Another five clubs will join from the Doctor Martens League, and they are likely to be Hinckley, Stafford Rangers, Nuneaton, Hednesford and Worcester, while another two will switch from the Ryman League - Kettering and Bedford.

While promotion to the Conference North opens up exciting possibilities for fans, it is equally possible that some clubs would have reservations about raising enough cash to cover travel costs.

The area's UniBond League clubs work on a travel budget of approximately £20,000 per year, but this could increase by another £10,000 given the extra distances involved.

Spennymoor manager Tony Lee was critical of his team's finishing after they crashed out of the Durham Challenge Cup at home to Billingham Town on Tuesday night.

"The game was there to be won. We can't afford to miss chances like that. We were like that at Radcliffe last Saturday, and scored only one.

"We were by far the better team, but their keeper had an inspired night."

Moors are at Lancaster City tomorrow, hoping to push their way into the top 13.

Meanwhile, autographed shirts from Paul Gascoigne and Middlesbrough are up for auction at a race night at the Brewery Field next Friday.

Bishop Auckland boss Brian Honour is looking forward to some midweek home games.

Bishops, 13th in the First Division, have games in hand on all the teams above them except one, and Honour says: "We have a lot of midweek home games coming up, which we must take advantage of.

"It isn't easy for clubs to travel to the North-East in midweek, because they could be missing key players because of work, and that's something we have to take advantage of.

"But no game is far from easy in this division, because everybody is scrapping for promotion places, even the teams right at the bottom."

Midweek results: Premier Division: Lancaster 1 Bradford PA 3

First Division: Stocksbridge 2 Matlock 1

Saturday fixtures: Premier Division: Ashton United v Hucknall, Blyth v Runcorn, Bradford PA v Burscough, Droylsden v Marine, Frickley v Harrogate Town, Lancaster v Spennymoor, Southport v Alfreton, Wakefield and Emley v Barrow, Worksop v Whitby

First Division: Bamber Bridge v Prescot Cables, Chorley v Witton Albion, Gateshead v Colwyn Bay, Guiseley v Kendal, Leek v Belper, Lincoln United v Hyde, North Ferriby v Kidsgrove, Ossett Town v Bishop Auckland, Rossendale v Farsley, Stocksbridge v Workington.