Three Northern League clubs are eagerly looking forward to their big day in the FA Cup tomorrow.

However, all three of them will be going into their matches with injury worries on the biggest day in their recent histories.

Shildon, who go to Nottinghamshire to play Shirebrook from the Northern Counties East League, are hoping that striker Lee Ellison will be fit.

Ellison has been suffering from a hamstring injury in recent weeks, and has been rested, while there was a scare on Tuesday night when 21 goal striker Garry Barnes picked up a knock at Evenwood, but he should be fit for the big game.

Manager Ray Gowans watched Shirebrook in action on Wednesday night.

Shildon will be followed by at least 100 supporters on the big day, as they try to reach the final qualifying round for the first time since 1961. And there will also be a chance for them to see the FA Cup, which is being displayed as part of the "FA Cup Trail."

Ashington, who are at home to Grantham, have a big injury doubt over their leading scorer Alex Lawson, who has scored 12 goals this season. Ashington haven't lost at home yet this season, while Grantham, who play in the Doctor Martens League Eastern Division, have yet to win away.

Dunston have the most injury worries, with several players struggling for their away game at Marine. They could be missing at least four players for the game at the UniBond League club.

Willington manager Alan Shoulder has broken his silence on last Saturday's abandoned game at Newcastle Benfield Saints.

The match referee, Ian Kavanagh, abandoned the game at half time because player/manager Shoulder refused to move from behind the dugout on the instructions of the referee.

Durham FA and the Northern League are now investigating the incident, and Shoulder said: "He told me that he wanted me to leave the dugout because I was swearing, which I wasn't. He told me to stand behind the dugout, which I did for the rest of the first half. He told me that he wasn't sending me off, and he didn't show me a yellow or red card.

"At half time, he told me that he had made a mistake, and wanted me to sit in the changing room, and then in the tunnel area.

"I refused, because it would have been an admission of guilt on my part to do so. I was quite prepared to stand behind the dugout, and not be moved around like a sheep. He told me he would give me five minutes to move, but I didn't, and he abandoned the game.

"Something must have happened at half time to make him change his mind."

Durham FA are likely to ask for statements from all concerned, but Willington will probably fight any sort of punishment.

Seaham Red Star have appointed Peter Mulcaster as manager.

Seaham, who parted company with Neil Hixon a month ago, and then the caretaker manager Rob Brooks last week, gave Mulcaster the job after he watched Seaham draw 2-2 at Whickham in the Second Division last Saturday.

Mulcaster has a wealth of experience in the Northern League, and in the last six months alone, has been manager of Northallerton and West Auckland.

"I really enjoyed being with the team last Saturday," he said. "There is definitely something to work on. I'm grateful to Neil Hixon for leaving me with a good squad of players."

Crook Town have appointed Vince Kirkup as their new manager instead of Dennis Dolphin.

Crook moved quickly to appoint a replacement as they have an important FA Vase tie coming up against Ramsbottom next Saturday.

Chairman Steve Buddle was delighted to appoint Kirkup, who has a wealth of experience in local football from his years as manager/secretary of Stanley United in the Wearside League.

"I am sure under Vince's management we will work our way up the league," said Buddle.

"We are very happy to get a man of his experience, and we're hoping he'll bring some stability to the club."

However, Kirkup, and his new assistant Steve Hodgson, won't be taking charge until next week, so Les Langley is in charge for Saturday's tough game at Hebburn.

Dolphin quit because of his business commitments which take him to different parts of the country.

Billingham Town striker Craig Skelton is claiming one of the fastest ever Northern League goals.

At Durham City last Saturday, Skelton scored after an estimated four seconds - although there are claims that it was eight seconds - with only one other player touching the ball.

Billingham manager Alan Robinson said: "Somebody told me it was only four seconds which could be something of a record."

The official time of the goal was around seven seconds.

Referee Dave McCallum said: "When the ball hit the back of the net, I looked at my watch and it said eight seconds. But my assistant told me that the goal was between six and seven seconds."

Allowing for a second either way, Skelton appears to have scored the fastest ever Northern League goal.

That was the only thing which went right for Town because they went on to lose 5-1.

Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe was critical of his players after their 3-0 defeat at Whitley Bay on Saturday.

"Some of the players just didn't appear to have the desire to win," said Lindoe.

"In fact, I could go as far to say that was the worst performance since I took over six years ago, and only two or three players escaped criticism. Whitley Bay didn't have to do too much to beat us."

Brandon have put defender Darryl Smith on the transfer list at his own request.

Lindoe said: "Darryl has been at the club for six years and has been a great servant. He wants to play regular first team football, but we can't guarantee it."

West Auckland were so short of players for their Durham Challenge cup tie at Wearside League club Washington Nissan UK last Saturday, that they had to push keeper Adrian Swan up front for the closing stages, because of an injury to one of the outfield players.

Thornaby have been linked with Swan, but any move seems unlikely because West's other keeper, Alan Wilkinson, is suspended for five weeks.

Prudhoe manager Gavin Liddle was delighted with his team's commitment on Saturday when they ended Ashington's unbeaten record.

Liddle, who signed Chris Baxter and Graham Irvine from Shotton, and midfielder Warren Fisher from Benfield Saints before the game, said: "The players battled and battled throughout the game. That's the type of team I want, one which will give 110 per cent."

Spare a thought for Newcastle Benfield Saints. They've had two matches abandoned this season already, the FA Vase tie against Thornaby, and their Second Division game against Willington last Saturday. General manager Bob Morton said: "I think in 30 years in the game before this season, I'd only been involved in one abandoned match, and that was because of snow."

Norton have signed keeper Stephen Gill from Guisborough, and gave him his debut against Kennek Ryhope CA in the league cup on Tuesday night.

Norton have a basement game against Murton tomorrow, and manager Ray Morton said: "We must start picking up points. The Murton game is a real six pointer for us."

Evenwood have placed Gary Ankers on the transfer list at his own request, as have Prudhoe with keeper Simon Hall.

Four games are kicking off early tomorrow to avoid the England game - the matches at Billingham Synthonia, Chester-le-Street,. Peterlee and South Shields.

The revised draw for the first round proper of the Durham Challenge Cup, to be played before October 25, is: South Shields v Gateshead, Ryton v Hartlepool Reserves, Sunderland Reserves v Whickham, Consett v Peterlee, Billingham Town v Wolviston, Dunston v West Auckland, Murton v Bishop Auckland, Washington v Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street v Birtley, Horden v Shildon, Cleadon v Kennek Ryhope CA, Boldon CA v Wolviston, Gateshead Reserves v Tow Law, Washington Nissan v Durham City, Annfield Plain v Jarrow Roofing, Ferryhill v Billingham Synthonia.

* Horden may have to switch their tie with Shildon because of construction work being carried out at the Welfare Ground.

tomorrow's Fixtures: FA Cup third qualifying round: Ashington v Grantham, Marine v Dunston, Shirebrook v Shildon

Division One: Billingham Synthonia v Brandon (2pm) , Chester-le-Street v Marske (2pm), Durham City v Whitley Bay, Esh Winning v Billingham Town, Guisborough v Tow Law, Jarrow Roofing v Washington, Morpeth v West Auckland, Peterlee v Bedlington (2pm), Thornaby v Horden.

Division Two: Consett v Newcastle Blue Star, Easington v Alnwick, Evenwood v Prudhoe, Hebburn v Crook Town, Murton v Norton, Seaham Red Star v Northallerton, South Shields v Whickham (2pm), Washington Nissan v Shotton, Willington v Kennek Ryhope CA.

Midweek round-up

Durham City stretched their winning run in the league to six games with a comfortable 4-1 win at Marske on Tuesday night.

City took the lead when Robbie Herbert finished off a good move when he chipped the keeper, then Lee O'Donovan got the second from a pass by Willie Moat.

O'Donovan score a good third when he dribbled through the Marske defence and fired home, and after Lee Alexander pulled a goal back for Marske, Steve Halliday crossed for Michael Canavan to score the fourth. O'Donovan has now scored in each of the last four games.

Durham are two points behind leaders Whitley Bay, who won 2-1 at Tow Law.

After a goalless first half, they took the lead when Phil Ross scored with a header, then Michael Dickinson got the second from a Graham Pepper pass. Sub Stephen Rochester pulled a late goal back for Tow Law.

Brandon moved into third after they beat Guisborough 1-0, thanks to a 63rd minute goal from John Ewart from a Dave Robson pass. Guisborough stay bottom, although they've got games in hand on the teams immediately above them.

Horden have now failed to win any of their last seven league matches after they were beaten 4-0 at Dunston.

Defender Steve Holmes scored twice in the first half for Dunston, then Paul Hogg and Steve Pickering scored in the second half.

Billingham Synthonia moved out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win at next to bottom Penrith. The Cumbrians took the lead with a 12th minute goal by Marcus Thompson, but David Wells levelled after 48 minutes, and Lee Flanagan got the winner just nine minutes from the end.

West Auckland, under the caretaker charge of Graeme Forster, have moved into sixth place after they beat Thornaby 1-0, with a 25th minute goal from Paul Coleby courtesy of a Phil Maguire pass.

Billingham Town bounced back from their weekend defeat at Durham by winning 3-1 at Chester-le-Street. They took the lead after 15 minutes through Steve Bell, then Andy Swalwell made it two just on half time. Carl Chillingsworth got the third in the second half before youngster Phil Ingram replied for Chester.

Paul Chow, last season's leading scorer in the league, helped to destroy Bedlington as Jarrow Roofing beat them 5-3.

Roofing took a three goal lead inside 16 minutes with goals from Chow (2) and Lee Crosby, and after Tony Chapman pulled a goal back, Chow and Craig Nelson put Roofing 5-1 up. Roy Allen scored twice late in the game for Bedlington. Chow has now scored seven league goals this season.

Esh Winning are now eighth after they won 3-1 at Washington. Gary Messer, Steve Burns and an own goal put them in control, before Michael Stubbs pulled a goal back, his seventh in the league this season.

Shildon striker Garry Barnes has now scored 21 goals in total this season after he scored a hat-trick against Evenwood in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek.

Evenwood will feel slightly aggrieved, because they missed some good chances, while Stephen Houlahan struck the crossbar after a good run. Barnes scored his first after 38 minutes with a low right foot shot, then he got his second after 47 minutes from a left wing cross. He got his third on the hour from the spot after he was pushed.

Washington Nissan, who scored six at Easington in a league game earlier in the season, went one better by scoring seven in the league cup. Ian Matthews, who scored four in the league, scored two, with David Tate (2), Stephen Bagley, Glen Moan and recent signing Trenton Hewitt getting the others.

Kennek Ryhope won 3-0 at Norton in their league cup tie, with Jon Wightman scoring all their goals, as well as hitting the post twice.