Bishop Auckland's chances of a top three finish could depend a great deal on how they fare at Lancaster City tonight.

The two teams have both played 32 games and Bishops have a one-point advantage.

Bishops slipped up at home Runcorn on Wednesday night, and even though they are still third, they are one point ahead of tonight's opponents, and eight in front of fifth-placed Worksop, who have two games in hand.

Bishops were weakened on Wednesday by the absence of Jeff Smith, who has made a big impression in his first week at Bolton, and Micky Nelson, who is on trial at Bury.

There were also injuries to Steve Hutt and Danny Mellanby, and it is unlikely that they will figure tonight.

Smith, meanwhile, has signed for the rest of the season at the Reebok Stadium, and there is the possibility that the deal will become more permanent.

If that happens, then Bishops could receive a fee for him.

Bishops never really got going against Runcorn.

They had a couple of chances early on, but Runcorn took the lead after 26 minutes through Jamie Chantler. Anthony Lee hit the post for Bishops in the second half. but a rebound from a clearance by Glen Downey gave Runcorn their second.

On Tuesday night, Spennymoor lost 3-0 at home to Gainsborough.

The damage was done in the first half. Chris Newton put the visitors in the lead from the edge of the box after 16 minutes, then Gavin Bassender headed the second after 29. Carl Ellington with a solo run, got the third.

Whitby, who drew 1-1 at Gateshead on Wednesday, are in also in action tonight, at home to Gainsborough, and on Sunday at home to Hyde.

Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Emley 34 25 6 3 69 30 81

Stalybridge 33 23 9 1 77 23 78

Bishop Auckland 32 19 5 8 64 41 62

Lancaster 32 18 7 7 69 50 61

Worksop 30 15 9 6 80 46 54

Altrincham 35 15 8 12 63 47 53

Barrow 33 14 8 11 60 49 50

Gainsborough 35 13 10 12 41 44 49

Accrington 34 13 8 13 50 49 47

Hucknall 31 12 9 9 37 39 45

Whitby 34 12 8 14 50 59 44

Gateshead 31 12 7 12 52 45 43

Bamber Bridge 32 12 6 14 45 51 42

Runcorn 31 12 6 12 44 53 42

Blyth Spartans 32 11 6 15 45 45 39

Burscough 30 11 6 13 44 47 39

Hyde 30 10 7 13 54 54 37

Leek Town 32 9 7 15 31 45 34

Droylsden 32 10 4 18 36 57 34

Marine 32 8 9 15 41 58 33

Frickley 36 6 12 18 42 73 30

Colwyn Bay 31 6 8 17 44 75 26

*Spennymoor 32 2 3 27 24 82 8

* Denotes one point deducted