Northern League chairman Mike Amos is annoyed that the Northern League's isolation is going to continue.

After a recent meeting involving all the leagues at Northern League level, it has become clear that the League's position in the pyramid will be unchanged.

"We will be a virtual pyramid annexe, an outhouse that's tacked onto the main structure rather than being an integral part of it," he said.

"The league was pushing for a geographical extension to the Humber, but that idea appears to have been dismissed by the FA, which is coming under more and more criticism from the North-East.

"In the name of equality, the FA proposes 18 clubs at every division equivalent to our second, which could mean the arbitrary loss of two or three clubs who've battled to reach the league, and to remain here. Does anyone in Britain give a monkey's whether the ANL second division has 18 clubs or 20 - except of course in a little corner of the empire building which is 25 Soho Square."

Consett manager Colin Carr was delighted to overcome the challenge of Washington Nissan in the league cup last week.

Consett produced an excellent away performance to win 5-1 at Nissan to put them into the second round of the League Cup.

"It was a potential banana skin," said Carr. "With us near the bottom of the First Division and them near the top of the Second, there was the possibility of a shock. But I was very pleased with the performance."

Unfortunately, it wasn't Consett who moved up the table at the weekend when they played bottom club Newcastle Blue Star. The visitors won 2-1, to put Consett on the bottom of the table. But Consett have been slow starters in the recent seasons, and are expected to launch a move up the table soon.

ANL Second Division club Seaham Red Star have signed a shirt sponsorship deal with local firm Swales Scaffolding, their first such deal for several seasons.

Billingham Synthonia are likely to be without centre half Tommy Marron for a couple of weeks after the centre half was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the league cup tie with West Auckland.

Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery believes that his side is starting to come good again.

Bedlington have won five successive titles, but started their campaign for another when they lost to Jarrow Roofing on the opening day of the season. "We seem to have a slow start every year, but things are starting to go right again," he said.

Former Hartlepool, Manchester United and Huddersfield winger Paul Dalton has joined Crook Town. Dalton's last club in the Northern League was Billingham Town, whom he left last year to go coaching in the States. He scored on his home debut in midweek against Great Harwood in the FA Cup. Alan Stewart has resigned as secretary of Crook after several years in the post for personal reasons. He has been replaced by Kieron Bennett.

Brandon defender Anth McStea has turned down a chance to join UniBond League club Spennymoor.

McStea, who had an unsuccessful trial at Wolves last season, has been one of the reasons why Brandon are top of the table, and manager Kenny Lindoe said: "Anth has told us that he's not going anywhere. He has committed himself to playing for us until something bigger, like a Football League club, comes along."

League officials are checking their records to discover whether Shildon's Gary Barnes has become the first registered player to change his surname.

Barnes changed his name from Williamson earlier this month, and there were some puzzled looks among some Shildon fans when they discovered that he wasn't a new signing.

Esh Winning have signed central defender Simon Purrier, who has moved into the North-East from the Isle of Wight.

Billingham Synthonia's proud defensive record was smashed on Tuesday night when they lost 4-1 at Chester-le-Street, for whom Steve Cuggy and Andy Blower scored two apiece. Until the game, Synners had conceded just two goals in five league games.

Brandon have now won seven from seven after they won 1-0 at second in the table Billingham Town, the only goal coming from Richie Pitt deep into stoppage time.

Esh Winning won for the first time since the opening day of the season when they ended Jarrow Roofing's unbeaten record on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win.

Durham City, with new boss Billy Cruddas watching from the touchline, lost 2-1 at Prudhoe. New signing Lee Telfer scored the winner for Prudhoe after Stuart Irvine cancelled out Jeff Pogson's opener.

Guisborough had a good 2-0 away win at West Auckland, with John Outhwaite and Mark Sunley scoring.

Shildon moved above Tow Law on Wednesday night with a 3-1 home win at Dean Street. Bedlington edged closer to the leaders with a 2-1 home win over Whitley Bay.

In the second division, Shotton won their first game of the season in the league with a 2-1 win at Northallerton. Mark Surtees and Ian Oldroyd scored for Shotton, with David Onions replying.

Crook went out of the Cup after losing 7-6 to Great Harwood on penalties, the teams drawing 1-1 after extra time.

The revised draw for the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on September 28 is; Chester-le-Street v Harrogate RA, Hyde United v Tow Law,Colwyn Bay v West Auckland, Guisborough v Guiseley, Bedlington v Vauxhall Motors, Durham v Peterlee, Whitby v Bradford PA, Accrington Stanley v Billingham Town, Spennymoor v Atherton Coll, Horden v Worksop, Lancaster v Blyth, Dunston v Burscough, Gateshead v Barrow.

The draw for the first round of the Hathaway South Durham Bowl is; Newton Aycliffe v Roddymoor, Crook Town Wanderers v Shildon Railway, Wearhead United v Darlington Cleveland bridge, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club v Middleton St George Killingham Arms, Darlington GSOB v Cockfield.