Bishop Auckland chairman Terry Jackson believes they can meet ground requirements for the Premier Division.

Bishops held a meeting last weekend to discuss the way forward for the club, and how to ensure a Premier Division place if they finish in the top 12.

Jackson said: "Some of the tasks we must do are relatively minor, others are reasonably big.

"For example, we must improve the boarding around the pitch, but we must also extend the referee's room and provide spectator facilities on the ground.

"We have some pretty good ideas on how to overcome these problems, but we believe that the solutions are achievable.

"We're going to have a chat with Shildon to see how we can progress."

The UniBond League is seeking a meeting with Bishops to discuss their future plans, both short and long term. It is understood that the UniBond League has "numerous areas of concern" but Bishops are confident they can satisfy demands.

Meanwhile, the sale of Kingsway appears to have reached deadlock again, and at least one more year at Dean Street is on the cards.

On the pitch, Bishops had a morale-boosting 6-1 win at Bradford PA in the league cup on Wednesday. After standing 1-1 at one stage with Neil Maddison scoring early on, Nicky Scaife scored two screamers to put Bishops back in command, and they never looked back.

Bishops have arranged their Durham Challenge Cup tie against Sunderland Reserves for Tuesday, January 6, at Durham City.

Spennymoor's Jon Cullen could have fired his way into the record books following Tuesday night's win over Ossett Town.

Cullen, in his third spell at the club, scored a hat-trick of penalties to put Moors into the last 16, a feat which has the Moors historians searching the record books.

Moors boss Tony Lee missed the game because of a spying mission on Stafford Rangers, their Trophy opponents next week.

Whitby Town striker Gary Browne has moved to Third Division club York City and joins his old Turnbull Ground teammate Aaron Wilford at Bootham Crescent.

Midweek results: League Cup: Ashton United 1 Southport 3, Frickley 4 Hucknall 5, Guiseley 2 Harrogate Town 1, Lancaster 1 Radcliffe Borough 2, Lincoln United 2 Alfreton 1, Marine 1 Burscough 2, Matlock 1 Belper 0, Spennymoor 4 Ossett Town 2, Workington 0 Altrincham 0, (Altrincham won 3-1 on penalties), Worksop 3 North Ferriby 4, Droylsden 4 Chorley 1, Witton 4 Barrow 1, Bradford PA 1 Bishop Auck. 6, Whitby 2 Bridlington 1.

Premier Division: Runcorn 2 Gainsborough 2.

First Division: Hyde 4 Bamber Bridge 0, Stocksbridge 2 Farsley 2.

fixtures - tomorrow: Premier Division: Ashton United v Alfreton, Bradford PA v Altrincham, Burscough v Barrow, Frickley v Stalybridge, Gainsborough v Marine, Harrogate Town v Southport, Hucknall v Runcorn, Lancaster v Blyth, Radcliffe Borough v Whitby, Spennymoor v Wakefield and Emley, Worksop v Droylsden.

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

Sunday: First Division: Bishop Auckland v Kidsgrove (3pm).