Esh Winning manager Vince Kirkup is looking for quick wins in a bid to beat the drop.

Esh are second bottom, ten points adrift of safety, going into this afternoon's away game at Whitley Bay.

"We need to win two games on the trot very quickly," he said. "We've got far fewer points than we should have at this stage of the season. We need a series of unbeaten games like I had at Brandon last season to take us back into the pack."

Defender Danny O'Brien returns, but full back Paul Bellamy is injured, while keeper Danny Molyneux and midfielder Gary Foster will both have fitness tests.

Durham City, who haven't won in six matches to slip down to tenth place, have transfer-listed four players ahead of their home game with Billingham Town.

Striker Garry Barnes, midfielder Gary Pearson and Dion Raitt and keeper Marc Riches have all been put on the list.

Town, who have drawn their last two away games, welcome back midfielder Steve Flockett, but David Yale is suspended.

Leaders Newcastle Blue Star can go eight points clear if they beat Chester-le-Street. Billingham Synthonia can move closer to second-placed Bedlington, when they come up against Sunderland Nissan at Central Avenue. Synners are without injured keeper John Jackson, while Nissan continue with Keith Finch in goal.

West Auckland go to Tow Law, missing Danny Richmond, while defender Neil Bell has left. Lawyers could be without keeper Darren Horrigan.

Shildon have dropped into the bottom four because of Nissan's midweek win, and they face champions Dunston at Dean Street. Striker Wayne Gredziak and midfielder Neal Bartlett both return.

Jarrow Roofing are at home to Horden, who are without Martin O'Riordan and Adam Livingstone, and Ashington are looking for their second win over West Allotment in a fortnight. Newcastle Benfield BP are missing top scorer Micky Chilton for their home game with Morpeth.

In the second division, Consett go for their 17th straight win against North Shields at Belle Vue, but will be without Damien Maw and Robbie Blemings.

The match kicks off at 1.45pm due to floodlight problems.

Crook have a tough away game at Penrith and could be missing strikers Danny Mellanby and Roy Allen through injury, but another striker, Jonathan Milroy returns.

Bottom club Guisborough need a win at third-bottom Alnwick, but will be without Nigel Smith.

Northallerton, fourth, go to Marske. Defender Micky Waller returns for Northallerton, while Marske will give a debut to defender Micky Ward.

Norton are at Whickham, and they are missing striker Tyson Masters, but veteran John Outhwaite is added to the squad. Whickham are without their leading scorer Richard Brodie because of suspension, while defender Chris Holmes has a fitness test.

Washington, fifth, welcome back striker Carl Magnay and defender Graham Liddle for their away game at Prudhoe.

Seaham Red Star have a local derby at Kennek Ryhope CA, and welcome back defender Robbie Swann. Peterlee, second bottom, have a tough home game against third placed Ryton.