Spennymoor manager Peter Mulcaster is hoping to sign a new player in time for their home game with Barrow this afternoon.

Moors have lost their first two games, and Mulcaster feels he needs to strengthen his squad to start climbing up the table. "I've been a little disappointed with our first two games, because we should have got something out of them," he said.

"We've been playing well in patches, we just need a little bit of luck."

Mulcaster is keeping tabs on striker Paul Pitman, who was signed from Dunston in midweek to play against his old club.

Whitby Town, who have six points from two games, have a tough home game against Altrincham. Striker Gary Messer is doubtful, as is midfielder Kevin Graham.

Gateshead have been hit by the news that striker Steve Preen has decided to join Scottish League outfit Queen of the South. Bishop Auckland are without a game.

l In the Wearside League, Stanley United, who have made their best start since joining the League in the 1988/89 season, are likely to make more changes in their line-up when they bid to maintain their unbeaten record at Boldon CA, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

To date, manager Vince Kirkup has used 30 players in five matches and today he has doubts surrounding Kevin Kennedy, Paul Willary, Alan Humble and Lee Furber but Ivan Moxon, Tony Hopkins and Neil Heslop are all able to play.

Stephen Ilderton and Jonathan Murray, who scored on their debuts in the midweek win over Annfield Plain, retain their places in the Boldon CA side which will also include close-season signing Stephen Garthwaite in the attack.

Annfield Plain manager Kevin Drinkeld has had horrendous problems with injuries and at New Marske SC, he is definitely without seven players. Another two will play even though they are leaving it tight to get back to Newcastle Airport in time to fly off on holiday.

Jarrow, without a number of players in midweek, hope to be at full strength for their game at Harton and Westoe while Ryhope could line up goalkeeper Michael Burlinson for his first match since he broke a leg last season.

Current keeper Anthony Mustard is doubtful and definitely missing is Peter Bentham. In addition, David Crosby is struggling with an ankle injury and Lee Elliott has joined Harton and Westoe to add to the problems for new manager Mark Ratcliffe.

Simonside, who have made a good start with four wins out of six host Ryhope CW hoping that defenders Lee Bays and Brian Dolphin, and midfielders John Taylor, Stephen Williams and Stephen Hickmott can all return.

Bobby Aitcheson, formerly manager of Harton and Westoe for four years, is now at the helm at Simonside and Dave Convery is his assistant.

North Shields are at Thornaby on Tees and will again include Mick Tait. Srikers Barry Gibson and Neil Hartley are missing although with 11 goals from four matches, they have not been missed. Paul Ross, Anthony Robson and David Little have all scored twice for the Robins.