The Readers' Durham County League: It's bottom versus top when Shildon meet Evenwood this afternoon - and although the result might appear a foregone conclusion, the leaders will be wary of an upset.

The gulf between the two sides could not be more stark. Evenwood have won 14 matches, Shildon none and the points difference is a whopping 265.

"We are very much the under-dogs, but we gave a better performance despite losing to Etherley last week," said Shildon's Stephen Thornbury, who reports that Michael Parker will captain the side in the absence of Lee Douthwaite.

John Brennan and Phil Rowley resume with Thornbury reverting to his usual role as skipper of the second XI.

It is all change for Evenwood as they attempt to cling onto a 14-point lead over Willington, who have a game in hand. Brothers Michael and Paul Townsend and David Wilkinson cannot play so Kevin Watson, Jonathan Gill and Kurt Bailey are named in Craig Rutherford's line-up.

Second-top Willington hope that Neil Moore will have recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up during Tuesday's defeat by Lanchester in the Bass Tom Burn Cup.

Karl Brown, who missed the game, is able to play when Willington host Langley Park.

Skipper David Gladstone is again an absentee for Langley Park, who will be captained by Alan Gray. Lee Wright is to have a run-out with the second team as he attempts to regain full fitness and also missing is young Daniel Wilkinson, who was pleased to claim the wicket of Ushaw Moor professional Sanjay Raul last Saturday.

Tudhoe are third ahead of the visit of Mainsforth, who include David Irvine and Chris Hardwick. Stephen Sweeney reverts to the second team and Wayne Firbank cannot play because of work commitments.

Although they are 39 points adrift of Evenwood, Kimblesworth have not given up hope of clinching the title. But they will need to take maximum points from their visit to Brandon if they are to have any chance of staying in the race.

Michael Fishwick has had to return to Australia following a family bereavement, but Barry Strong, who missed last week's game with a toe injury, is hopeful of playing.

Kimblesworth are close to clinching the Second XI championship and are currently 36 points ahead of their nearest rivals Esh Winning with a game in hand.

Brandon show two changes to their line-up. David Fort is involved in football so 16-year old Andrew Johnson will keep wicket and the experienced Bobby Orton takes over from Johnny Moore.

Andrew Metcalfe will lead Ushaw Moor in the absence of Michael Hayton when Etherley provide the opposition. Brendan Jackson is another absentee and Ian Ross and Stephen Hancock fill the vacancies. Etherley too need to change their side. Colin Barker is still unavailable but Peter Lyall, Shaun Rudd, Drew Kirtley and Eddie Seery all resume.

Crook Town have Keith Maddison, David Nevins, Mel Thompson and Peter Brown all lining up but Andrew Burgess and Philip Walker cannot play against Sedgefield, who miss Steve Brodrick and Peter Elwell. Richard Brown and Richard Heslop are the replacements.