Darlington RA can at last see light at the end of the tunnel after securing their first success last Saturday.

They are now 17 points behind Normanby Hall as the pair battle to avoid the drop.

Fixture secretary Mark Eyles is confident the return of Ashar Zaidi will inspire the side to better times.

Zaidi played only the opening three matches before an injury forced him to return to Pakistan for an operation. When he heard of the club's plight he came back in time for last Saturday's visit to Saltburn.

"Ashar is a great professional. He scored an unbeaten 112 and took four wickets, leading us to victory,'' said Eyles.

"We know what he is capable of and with him in the side for the remaining seven matches we are confident we can stay up.

"The club was buzzing last Saturday night and the lads are really up for the derby with Darlington. Another victory could lift us off the bottom for the first time in months.''

Darlington, too, have not had the best of seasons and with only four wins are fifth from bottom, 70 points ahead of their neighbours. James Stock is drafted into the line-up in place of Lee Hutton and victory would end any relegation worries.

There is another battle going on at the top, with Great Ayton 21 points ahead of Northallerton, but with other clubs in close proximity.

Ayton have lost just once, twice fewer than any other side and visit Marton with James Marshall taking over from Tom Crown. The hosts are strengthened by the inclusion of Dean Kirby and Gary Knight.

Captain Chris Lane said: "We are pleased with our season and are seeking a top-four finish."

Second-top Northallerton have home advantage over Hartlepool and a big bonus is the availability of Jonathan Barnes, who was absent last Saturday.

His inclusion is at the expense of Jerry Hall, while Hartlepool miss Andy Tebbett, who is replaced by Matthew Richardson.

"We have not had much luck with the toss and have slipped to fifth top following seven consecutive draws. We still have Bishop Auckland and Guisborough to play so we can make a real impact at the top," said Pool skipper Ian Palmer.

One-time leaders Bishop Auckland are hoping for a change of fortunes at the expense of Saltburn when they meet at Kingsway.

"We've had a bad three weeks and everything that could have gone wrong has done so. Amul Mazumdar broke his toe running up some stairs and he was forced to sit out last week's match, but hopefully he'll be fit and captain Ben Usher is back," said director of cricket Paul Furby.

Guisborough are buoyant after winning both the Tall Trees Hotel MacMillan Cup and the Kerridge Cup. They are in fourth position before their visit to Normanby Hall, where Gary Bolton returns after holiday. Chris Trillo makes way.

Normanby Hall are second bottom, having lost more games than any other side, and need a good result if they are to keep ahead of Darlington RA. Jack Conway is back from holiday and he goes straight in.

Richard Stringer and Janisar Hussain miss out for Middlesbrough, who include Darren Birkett and Omar Shahid at Redcar. Although Martin Reeves cannot play the Seasiders welcome back Mally Whitehead.

Spinner Leigh Beaumont is back on duty for Marske at home to Richmondshire, who miss Andy Mollitt with a broken thumb. Matthew Hodgson drops into the seconds with Michael Cunnachie and Charlie O'Kelly filling the two vacancies.

League representative sides play two fixtures tomorrow. They meet the Bassetlaw and District League in the semi-final of the Northern Rock Cedric Rhoades Cup at Hartlepool (1.30).

Team: Martin Hood (Marton, capt), Neil Pratt (Darlington), Alex Roberts, Adil Ditta, Brett Roberts (Middlesbrough), Stephen Pennock, David Grainge (Great Ayton), Paul Goodchild (Guisborough), Tim Hood (Redcar), Jonathan Barnes (Northallerton), Steve Larkins (Marske).

The under-21s play The Halifax League in the Heron Frozen Foods White Rose Plate Final at Saltburn (1.30).

Team: Matthew Brown (capt), Carl McGregor (Bishop Auckland), Don Conway (Marton), Jack Conway (Normanby Hall), Henry Blackett (Great Ayton), James Alderson (Darlington), Paul Johnson (Hartlepool), Sean McCabe (Saltburn), Tom Urwin (Redcar), Andrew Weighell, Ian West (Stokesley), 12th man Matthew Connolly (Middlesbrough).