Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that Moors must expect a much tougher game when they take on Bemerton Heath Harlequins for a place in the quarter finals of the FA Carlsberg Vase today.

Moors, the hot favourites for the competition, are at home for the second successive Saturday in the competitions, and Ainsley said: “It’s going to be a much tougher game than the team we beat last week, Lordswood. I have spoken to a couple of managers in their league who have given me reports and both tell me that they are a very good team with two excellent forwards who we need to be aware of. If we’re not at our best we will go out of the competition.”

Ainsley has two injury problems, with key midfielder Keith Graydon struggling, as well as centre half Leon Ryan.

Their opponents are currently fourth in the Wessex League, the same league as Bournemouth whom West Auckland beat last season on their way to Wembley.

Another team gunning for a quarter final place, Shildon, head to Brantham in Suffolk.

The away day specialists, who have won 19 times away from home in the Vase in the last eight years, head to the Eastern League side boosted by a typical hard working away win at Bitton in the last round, and a seven goal rout of Seaham earlier this week.

“It’s a very tough game against a side that sit top of their league and having beaten Whitley Bay in the last round, so their confidence will be sky high. We will go there and play on the front foot. On the day we will need a bit of good luck and every player to put in a performance.

“But we must make sure that we don’t suffer a sucker punch like we did last week against Benfield, when he had so much possession.”

Forrest has also signed midfielder Craig Hughes from second division leaders Crook Town, but he is ineligible. However, several players have niggling injuries.

Dunston set off yesterday for their away tie at Tunbridge Wells, which has already been postponed three times.

The FA intervened in the match arrangements, and instructed that the game should take place today, and if the Tunbridge pitch wasn’t passed fit in midweek, then the game would have been switched to a suitable neighbouring ground.

Manager Billy Irwin said: “It’s definitely going to take place at last. Tunbridge have problems because their ground is set low, and so water runs down on to it. When I went to see them play a month ago, the pitch was like quicksand. I feel sorry for our supporters and committee, who have had to make and then cancel so many travel arrangements.

“I’m pleased we got a game in against Billingham Town on Tuesday because we hadn’t played for ages. The players needed to get a game into their legs.”

Defender and skipper Ben Cattanach will be unavailable today.

The winners of today’s tie are away to Larkhall next Saturday in the fifth round.

Bishop Auckland are hoping to maintain their goalscoring form at home to bottom of the table South Shields. Bishops have scored 21 goals in their last five home matches and will be missing striker Dan Hawkins.

Shields manager Jon King has brought in several new players – Denver Morris from Newcastle Benfield, Lewis Turnbull from Consett, Jason Brazauskas from Esh Winning and Andy Thompson from Consett.

West Auckland manager Peter Dixon is hoping to recruit some new players ahead of their home game against Ashington.

West are third in the table, and if they win today, will go four points behind second placed Spennymoor, but having played four more games. Defenders Matthew Coad and Mark Stephenson will both return after missing the midweek defeat at Newcastle Benfield. Ashington have injury problems up front, with strikers Gareth Bainbridge, Josh Gray and David Molloy all out because of injury.

Newton Aycliffe have given themselves some breathing space in the last three months with five wins in seven matches, and they face Celtic Nation at Moore Lane. They are missing injured defender Mark Peck, but midfielder Sean Tarling returns.

The Carlisle side will choose from a squad of 15 players, with manager Steve Skinner hoping to sign at least two new players. CN’s fixture backlog is increasing, because they had a home game postponed in midweek, and they still have 26 league games to play.

Durham City are looking to maintain their improvement when they go to Team Northumbria, but they are stretched to the limit, with four players Craig Hindmarch, Ricky Fenwick, Adam Clough and Paul Dixon definitely out because of injury, and another four, Nick Allen, Conor Winter, Scott Fenwick and Mark Baitey all having fitness tests.

Second bottom Norton need to start winning matches because they are 11 points adrift of safety, and they are at Consett. Manager Andy Campbell is boosted by the returns of Liam Woodhouse, Jack Proctor and Shaun Clarke after long term injuries. Norton haven’t played for a month, and the reverse game against Consett was postponed close to kick off in midweek. Consett manager Kenny Lindoe has signed Liam O’Mahoney from Thornaby, and he is added to a full squad.

Newcastle Benfield are hoping to announce their new management team before the home game with Sunderland RCA, following the midweek resignation of Anthony Woodhouse because of work commitments. The RCA will give debuts to keeper Eugene Ferry and midfielders Patrick McLean and Thomas Marron, but Gary Shaw, Ross Preston, Nicky Kane and Paul Buzzeo are all injured.

Two teams chasing the top three, Bedlington and Whitley Bay, meet at Welfare Park, and Whitley, who are in fourth place, will be at full strength, except for defender Ian Reid.

Sixth bottom Marske are away to second bottom Penrith, and they welcome back striker Lev Yalcin, while manager Ted Watts has signed three youngsters from local football, Matthy Mathewman, Gerard Richardson and Luke Nicholson.

In the second division, leaders Crook Town, who haven’t lost a league game since October, are at Birtley, and they will be without midfielder Craig Price and defender Ian Maddison, while former Darlington midfielder Steve Walklate, who was with Bishop Auckland last season, will make his debut. Birtley, who are sixth bottom are without Dan Smith, but John Martin and Scott Garrett both return.

Second placed Ryhope CW are at Whitehaven, and they gave long awaited debuts to Jack Lilley, Clayton Davies and Jack Pounder, but keeper Lenny French and five outfield players are missing for various reasons.

The game of the day is between third placed Seaham and Northallerton, one place and four points behind them. Seaham have won seven out of their last nine league games, while Northallerton, who have scored eight goals in their last two matches, will be unchanged.

Darlington RA, who are in fifth, are at home to second bottom Alnwick, but are without several players – Louis Whensley, Ste Cheeseman, Jordan Hanratty and Dale Elgie – so manager Nick Harrison will draft some youngsters into the squad.

Jarrow Roofing are at home to Ryton, and they welcome back midfielder Andy Soulsby and striker Chris Hepple, but Michael Chapman is working.

North Shields, who are seventh, are at home to Brandon and they are missing top scorer Dean Holmes , as well as midfielders Kieran Wrightson and Michael McKeown. Striker Keith Douglas and midfielder Adam Forster will have fitness tests.

Tow Law are looking for their eighth away win of the season at Stokesley, but they must give a fitness test to striker Matty Scott who has an ankle injury, but midfielder Mick Stothard will return. Stokesley are missing former Boro winger Nathan Porritt , as well as Aaron Foley, Derek Bradley and Phil King, while Kris Kamara is doubtful because of injury.

Esh Winning and Horden meet in a six pointer at Waterhouses. Esh who lost in midweek, will give former Hartlepool player Steve Halliday a fitness test, while Craig Garthwaite returns. Former Sunderland midfielder John Cornforth will watch his first game since becoming Horden coach in midweek. He has just returned from management for several years in South Korea. Dane Wilson is suspended for Horden, while central defender Paul Johnson has signed for Billingham Synthonia.

West Allotment, fresh from their 3-0 away win at Esh Winning in midweek, are at home to Chester-le-Street, and apart from Ian Dunn and Kallum McGlen, have a full squad.

Chester are without Gary Turton, Tommy Alderson and Michael Graver because of suspension, but Scott Donaldson and Michael Robson return after injury.

In the other games, Whickham are at home to Morpeth, and Washington face Thornaby.

In the Evostik League, Blyth are at home to Buxton, and Whitby are at Nantwich.