Whitley Bay are now facing a hectic schedule of matches before their FA Vase final against Tiptree on May 11.

Going into the last month of the season, Whitley have got 12 league games to play, and depending on their result against Durham in their league cup semi final last night, they could also have a league cup final to play as well.

The schedule will bring back memories for Bedlington, Tow Law and Whitby Town, who signed up extra players to help them through their busy period leading up to the Vase final.

Shildon could be involved in two cup finals - and that will cause a headache for the league.

The league sometimes tries to stage both the League Cup final and the Craven Cup final on the same day, but Shildon have a chance of playing in them both.

On Wednesday night they defeated Tow Law 3-1 to reach the League Cup final, and on Monday they take on Washington Nissan in the Craven Cup final.

John Outhwaite gave Shildon an early lead with a header, then Charlie Walton fired a second before half time.

Outhwaite grabbed a third in the second half, before Lee Innes pulled a late goal back.

Durham City are going to carry out improvement work on their pitch during the summer.

Already regarded as one of the best non-league pitches in the North-East, City intend to replace the top inch of the pitch and completely reseed it during the summer.

City have staged 52 games this season at New Ferens Park.

Billingham Synthonia have signed full-back James Bridge as cover for Scott Boyes, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Bridge played at Spennymoor before moving to Canada, and on his return to this country Synners snapped him up.

Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle is hoping for third time lucky against Shildon next week.

Nissan go to Shildon in the semi final of the Craven Cup, with a place in the final against Prudhoe at stake.

But Nissan have done badly against Shildon, losing 11-5 at Dean Street earlier in the season, and 4-0 last Saturday in the league.

Nissan have lost their last three league games, and Liddle said: "We'll be the underdogs in the game, but we'll be going for it. The lads are a bit down after three defeats in a week, but I've told them that time is on their side."

Seaham Red Star manager Wilf Constantine is starting to plan for next year already.

Seaham became the first club to be relegated last week, but Constantine is already looking forward to the new campaign.

"We've already put plenty of work into rebuilding the side, and we won't have to rebuild totally during the summer. We'll still be looking for two players with experience in defence and midfield.

"But there is a great attitude amongst the players. Stuart Morris, for example, has played with a broken rib - he's a pretty good example."

Two First Division clubs are looking for assistant managers.

Jarrow Roofing's assistant boss, John Oliver, quit after they won 2-0 at West Auckland for personal reasons.

Oliver didn't take too kindly to the arrival of former Gateshead and Spennymoor boss Colin Richardson, and decided to quit.

Roofing boss Richie McLoughlin said: "John took exception to Colin's arrival, but I've only brought him in to help with the coaching until the end of the season. Colin intends to look for a job in the close season."

West Auckland are looking for a new assistant manager following the resignation of Dale Swainston last week for personal reasons.

Willington's home game with Shotton last week nearly didn't take place because of vandalism.

Eagle-eyed secretary Bob Nichol noticed on the afternoon of the game that vandals had damaged several of the floodlight fuse boxes, and had to call for emergency repairs, which were finished only an hour or so before the game.

Billingham Synthonia striker Lee Flanagan took his goals tally for the season to 38 with a hat-trick in Synners' 4-1 win at Billingham Town on Monday morning.

Town took the lead early in the game through Steve Osborne, but Flanagan levelled after 15 minutes with a left foot shot.

He grabbed his second before the break after David Wells saw a header blocked, then Andy Ripley fired the third from twenty yards. Flanagan completed his hat-trick from a Tony Wood cross late in the game.

Durham City's hopes of finishing runners up took a knock when they lost to Tow Law, who are the favourites for the runners up spot because of their games in hand.

Tow Law got off to a good start when Andy McKenna scored at the second attempt after 16 minutes, but Micky Dunwell levelled wit ha shot on the turn.

Stuart Brightwell put them into the lead from 30 yards, but Marc Eccles levelled for Tow law before half time when he ran through unchallenged and fired into the top corner.

The winner came in bizarre fashion, when a clearance by Durham keeper Marc Riches rebounded off Steve Walklate and went into the net.

Guisborough won their local derby 2-1 at Marske United.

Tom Jones volleyed in from a Shaun Howes cross after 26 minutes, then Michael Tod broke away and scored the second after 64 minutes. Greg Booth pulled a goal back for Marske three minutes later from a Micky Ward free kick.

In the second division, Shildon lost ground on the leaders when they could only draw 1-1 with Northallerton. Danny Richmond put Shildon ahead three minutes before half time, but Craig Bishop levelled with 15 minutes left.

On Tuesday night, Dunston kept their grip on second place when they beat Ashington 2-1 at Federation Park, Paul Hogg and Danny Shore scoring their goals.

West Auckland bounced back from their recent poor showings with a 2-1 win at Newcastle Blue Star.

Full back Steve West put a Ross Greenhill corner into his own net after 32 minutes, but two minutes later Roy Allen equalised.

Allen then missed a penalty, Paul Bennett saving, but Phil Nicholson scored the winner with ten minutes left.

Jarrow Roofing secured another point to help them climb further away from the relegation zone when they drew 2-2 at Chester-le-Street in a match of three penalties. Craig Nelson scored twice from the spot for Jarrow, while David Turner did likewise for Chester. Ian Morgan scored in open play for Chester.

In the second division, Evenwood won their first game at their temporary West Auckland home when they beat Willington 1-0, while Crook won 2-0 at Shotton.

On Wednesday night, Bedlington suffered their first league defeat since September when they lost 2-1 at Brandon.

The home side took the lead through Dave Robson, with Robbie Cockburn equalising. But Steve Huggins scored the winner ten minutes from the end.

Washington moved up to fifth from bottom with a 2-1 win at Consett, Steve Burns scoring both their goals after 13 and 69 minutes. Colin McLeod scored after 34 minutes for Consett