The Northern League have warned Eppleton that they could be booted out of the League if their administration doesn't improve.

Eppleton were fined £2,525 last week for failing to return match results and player registration forms, and the league has also warned them that if their administration doesn't improve, then it will recommend to the annual meeting they should be expelled from the league.

Eppleton had six points deducted for fielding ineligible players in league matches, and have now lost another point because South Shields have asked for their 0-0 draw to be replayed when Eppleton broke the rules.

The game will now take place again next week.

Whitley Bay have withdrawn their application for promotion to the UniBond League.

Whitley have been told by the UniBond that they must erect covered accommodation down one side of their pitch, but they won't be able to obtain planning permission in time.

The news means that only two clubs will be relegated from the Unibond League to the feeder leagues - which will be good news for Spennymoor in their relegation fight.

The Durham Challenge Cup tie between Billingham Town and Willington, which was postponed on Tuesday night because of a frozen pitch, has been re-arranged for next Tuesday night with a 7.30 kick off.

The Northern League have clamped down on clubs not using substitute boards when a substitute enters the field. Thornaby and Seaham Red Star have both been fined £25 for not doing so in recent games, while Brandon have been fined £25 for manager Kenny Lindoe leaving the technical area several times after being warned not to do so by the match officials.

Seaham have also been fined £25 because they failed to ensure that everybody was seated in the dugout for their game at Durham City.

Norton have been fined £50 by the league for using an ineligible player in their League Cup tie against Thornaby.

Washington Nissan and Esh Winning have both been fined £25 and severely warned as to their future conduct following recent incidents

Peterlee manager Eddie Freeman and Chester-le-Street boss Stuart Sherwood have both been charged with misconduct by the league and have been instructed to attend the next league disciplinary hearing

The league's latest performance of the week awards are: 17th November - Seaham Red Star for their 3-0 win at Jarrow Roofing, 24th November: Alnwick for their 3-2 home win over Penrith; 1st December: Brandon United for their 8-2 home win over Washington; 8th December: Willington for their 2-1 win at South Shields

Whitley Bay will now be at home to Peterlee following their win in the League Cup against Billingham Town before Christmas. The draw is: Jarrow Roofing v Shildon, Durham v Dunston, Whitley Bay v Peterlee, Tow Law v Ashington

The draw for the third round of the Craven Cup is: Shildon v Whickham, Penrith v Alnwick, Prudhoe v Crook, South Shields v Washington Nissan

Durham City manager Brian Honour admits that he's in two minds as to whether to go and spy on FA Vase opponents Dereham at the weekend.

City are in Northern League action against Dunston, while Dereham are playing at home in the Jewson Eastern League.

"I haven't made my mind up what to do," said Honour.

"We haven't played a league game since we played in the last round of the Vase against Raunds because all our matches have been postponed. We were hoping that we would play Darlington in midweek, but again we couldn't because of a frozen pitch. I don't like missing league games, especially games like this.

"But I also realise that we need to know something about Dereham, because then at least we have an idea of what to expect."

Tow Law have expressed their gratitude to Premiership club Middlesbrough for letting them use their team bus to go to Ash United next week.

Lawyers wrote to several clubs asking for help of some sort to get them to Ash, which is near Aldershot in Hampshire, and Middlesbrough stepped forward.

"It's a great gesture," said manager Graeme Forster, "It is certainly a big help to us."