Bishop Auckland have been awarded the UniBond Team of the Month award to complete a remarkable transformation.

Bishops went through March unbeaten in their seven matches, with five wins to climb well away from the relegation zone.

Just four months after facing relegation in the face, Bishops are now heading towards a comfortable midtable spot, and chairman Terry Jackson said: "It's a great achievement, considering the position we were in not long ago. A lot of credit must go to Brian Honour and the players."

Since Honour took over as manager, Bishops are unbeaten at home since November 30, and are looking forward with much more optimism. The award will be presented before next Wednesday's home game with Rossendale.

Gateshead defender Rob Jones has signed for Second Division Stockport County for an undisclosed fee.

Jones, who was signed from Spennymoor, has been outstanding for Gateshead this season, and has also scored 12 goals for the Tynesiders.

It is understood that the deal includes a sell-on clause and a future transfer profit, as well as a pre-season friendly.

They have also lost keeper Jon Kennedy who has returned to Sunderland on the completion of his loan spell.

Gateshead, meanwhile, have been told they can hold the home leg of their UniBond League Cup final against Marine at South Shields on Wednesday, April 9, with the return leg on Merseyside on April 24.

Spennymoor went within one point of the promotion positions when they won 1-0 at Ossett Town on Tuesday night.

Moors had plenty of possession in the game and missed plenty of chances, and they only had one goal to show for their efforts - an own goal early in the game from Ossett defender Brendan Aspinall.

Moors could have added further goals but were denied by poor finishing and good goalkeeping.

Bishop Auckland will be renewing rivalries with Colwyn Bay and Hyde United next season.

The Welshmen were relegated after they failed to beat Whitby at the weekend, and were followed by Hyde on Monday when they lost at home to Worksop.

The third bottom club will go into a play off with the third, fourth and fifth clubs from the First Division, and at the moment Blyth, Gateshead and Frickley are in the frame.

Blyth Spartans lost at home to league leaders Accrington Stanley in midweek, while Frickley beat Ashton United 1-0.

Spartans' red card woe continued at the weekend when defender Scott Emerson was dismissed during their defeat at Frickley. Blyth are now well into double figures, and could incur a heavy fine from the FA.

Former Newcastle and England international Chris Waddle has signed for UniBond First Division club Stocksbridge, although he isn't expected to turn out on a regular basis for them.

He has previous UniBond League experience having also played for Worksop Town.