TONY Skedd, the former Hartlepool United player, now with Bedlington Terriers, has been suspended by Durham FA for the rest of the season.

The action follows an incident in a recent Sunday County Cup tie which led to the abandonment of the game.

Easington are hoping to restart their home games soon.

The club had to switch recent home games against Dunston and Peterlee to their opponents' grounds because the boiler in their dressing room has broken down, and they are waiting for specialist parts to arrive before repairs can begin.

Easington have yet to reach the halfway mark in their fixtures, and expect to be playing until late in May.

Whitley Bay could be taken over by an unnamed local businessman.

Current chairman Mike Robinson is prepared to stand down to allow the new man to come in, but negotiations are ongoing.

The club thought that the takeover would go through last week, but one or two details needed to be ironed out, and instead it is expected to happen in the next couple of weeks.

Whitley dropped back into the Northern League from the UniBond League during the summer, and are currently in mid-table. However, they have lost their last two home games heavily against Jarrow Roofing and Dunston, and manager Andy Gowens has threatened to put several players on the transfer list.

Crook Town had nothing but praise for Durham centre-half Richard Ord on Saturday - despite being thrashed 8-2.

Crook made quite a game of it and were level at 2-2 with the league leaders at one stage, but were then steamrollered.

However, Crook secretary Alan Stewart revealed that Ord continued to lift Crook's front runners.

"Richard kept encouraging our two forwards, Martin Blythe and Michael Sutcliffe, all the way through the game. He told them to keep on trying and keep on running. They thought it was fantastic that he kept doing it, even though he was on the opposing side."

West Auckland won their second game inside four days with a 3-1 victory at Tow Law on Tuesday night. They came from behind for victory after Darren Darwent headed the Lawyers in front just before half time. Neil Johnson equalised for West early in the second half, Simon Rogers put them in front from a Paul Harnett free kick and Harnett grabbed the third with ten minutes left from a David Bainbridge pass. Dunston Federation went third after defeating Chester-le-Street 1-0. A goalless game was on the cards until four minutes from time, when Nicky Scaife scored from a pass by Tony Nelson.

Newcastle Blue Star came from behind to beat Morpeth 2-1. Colin Lawton put Morpeth in front from the spot just before half-time, but Star levelled through Graeme Macdonald from close range. Shaun Beech got the Star winner from a free kick, but was then sent off late in the game. Bedlignton went into second place on Wednesday night with a 3-0 home win over Hebburn. Willie Moat headed Bedlington into the lead just before half-time from a Phil Hildreth cross and after 65 minutes Richie Bond ran 30 yards and fired past the visiting keeper. Christian Graham maintained his good recent scoring record with a goal in the dying minutes. Billingham Town drew 0-0 with Jarrow Roofing in a poor game, Town going close twice through Paul Rowntree.

In the Second Division, Shildon ended their recent poor run with a 2-1 win at Ashington. The promotion chasers took the lead through Ian Johnson, but Shildon hit back through Neil Corking and Alan Robson.

Prudhoe ran riot against Shotton, winning 7-0. Ian Davison scored a hat-trick in ten minutes in the second half with Matty Foreman (2), Steve Hamil and Peter Robinson getting the others.

Northallerton drew 2-2 with South Shields after being behind twice. Paul Thompson headed Shields in front from a cross by his brother Chris but Ed Daly levelled with a header from Paul Wratten's free kick. Gary Andison quickly restored Shields' lead, but Dave Lawson levelled from the penalty spot after he was fouled on 65 minutes.

In the league cup, a goal by Andy Purvis after 104 minutes gave Brandon a golden goal victory over Whitley Bay. The two sides were level 3-3 after normal time. Micky Cunningham put Brandon in the lead but an own goal from Dave Johnson and a shot from Ian Chandler put Whitley 2-1 up. Andy Purvis made it 2-2 before the break, then Graham Carter put them back in the lead again after 54 minutes. Andy Bowman levelled for Bay after 67 minutes.

l The date of the semi final second leg of the FA Carlsberg Vase has been put back a day from Saturday March 24 to the Sunday because it clashes with the England game.