Sunderland RCA have been plunged deep into a first division relegation battle in their home game with Billingham Synthonia today.

The Northern League management committee have found the RCA guilty of playing a suspended player in a recent game against Billingham Town and subsequently have deducted three points, but to make matters worse, Town, who are also battling against promotion, have been granted a replay which means that the original 1-0 win to RCA is expunged and the RCA are now third bottom, five points adrift of safety with three games remaining.

RCA manager Neil Hixon could make changes to his side, while Synners recall defender David Able and midfielder Chay Liddle to their squad.

Meanwhile, RCA’s neighbours, Ryhope CW, have been told by the league that they will be refused promotion to the first division, and instead be placed in a relegation place from the second division.

The FA will then make the final decision on May 17th as to which league they will play in next season, whether it is the Northern League second division or the Wearside. There will be some small consolation for the CW in that if the club win the second division, then they will still receive the second division trophy and the players will still receive medals, but Crook are more likely to win the league.

At the top of the first division, Spennymoor continue their gruelling schedule when they face Durham City at the Brewery Field.

The title race is now out of Moors’ hands unless Darlington lose against Team Northumbria and Guisborough then Moors win all their remaining league games, so manager Jason Ainsley might rest some key players with next Saturday’s trip to Wembley in mind.

After their 0-0 draw v Ashington on Thursday night, Moors are now 22 points behind the leaders with six games in hand.

Striker Gavin Cogdon starts a three match suspension, which means that he also misses next week’s games against Penrith and Hebburn, but he will be free for the big match at Wembley next Saturday. However, there are worrying injury doubts over defender Bobby Moore and midfielder Lewis Dodds.

Durham, meanwhile, are without suspended keeper Gareth Young, but midfielder Craig Ellison and defender Steve Jones both return.

Third bottom is the only relegation place to be determined, although it could still mean a reprieve if troubled Bedlington are wound up in the next few weeks.

Billingham Town, who are fourth bottom, can do their survival hopes a power of good by beating Bishop Auckland at Bedford Terrace, and they are boosted by the return of first choice keeper Dan Molyneux, while defender Dom Gamble and striker Harrison Davies will both have fitness tests. Bishops welcome back Steve Salvin, Arran Wearmouth, Luke Gilhespy, Dan Hawkins and Kyle Swankie, so manager Colin Myers will happily leave himself off the bench.

Marske United need to beat Whitley Bay to be safe from relegation, and manager Ted Watts choose from a full squad. Whitley, who played on Thursday, recall midfielder Lee Paul Scroggins and defender Callum Anderson.

Newton Aycliffe have produced their best form of the season with four wins from five games recently to ensure safety from relegation, and they play their final game at home to Guisborough. Defender Steve Gibson is missing. Guisborough, who can still finish in the top six, are missing Luke Bythway and Gary Wood but Liam O’Sullivan returns to the squad.

Penrith ,who have also pulled off some good results in recent weeks, are at home to Shildon, who will be missing several players missing because of injury.

West Auckland need to win at relegated South Shields to have a chance of third place against the challenges of Whitley Bay and Dunston, and they will be missing suspended pair Andrew Green and Paul Garthwaite. Shields are without defender Barrie Smith because of suspension.

Relegated Norton are at Ashington, who are without defender Craig Scott and striker Chris Molloy because of injury, while Matty Grieve and Joe Taylor will have fitness tests.

Celtic Nation, who had three men sent off in midweek against Bishop Auckland, are at home to Bedlington, and have several players missing because of injury and work commitments, and have only got ten fit players.

Consett , who have only lost two of their last seven matches are at home to Dunston UTS, and manager Ken Lindoe has twelve players struggling with injuries, the latest of them being Aristotle Guerin-Lokonga. Dunston welcome back Kane Young, Chris Swailes and Micky Robson.

In the second division, Crook Town can pass 100 points and clinch the title and a return to the first division after a 14 year absence if they win at Thornaby.

Manager Gary Pearson welcomes back strikers Kevin Devine and Robbie Bird, but Steve Walklate, Daryll Evans and Ian Bickerstaffe are all injured.

The race for third and fourth will go into the last week of the season.

The game of the day is between second placed Ryhope CW and fifth placed Darlington RA.

Ryhope welcome back midfielder Ben Riding, but James Dunn and Clayton Davies are both missing. CW striker Jonny Butler has now scored 51 league goals this season The RA, who are playing their last game of the season, need to win to have a chance of fourth after dropping points against Whitehaven in midweek. Top scorer Steve Allison will have a fitness test, while David Webster, Lee Farrington and James Howlett are all missing.

Fourth spot could yet earn promotion if Ryhope CW are forcibly demoted by the FA.

Northallerton, who are in sixth place, could still squeeze into fourth if they win at sixth placed Morpeth, and they add defender Ian Smurthwaite to their squad after he missed the midweek cup win over Jarrow Roofing. Peter Mulcaster has been confirmed as their permanent manager after taking over Mark Fanning a month ago.

Jarrow Roofing, who are level on points with Morpeth but have a worse goal difference, are at Brandon, and they are hoping that their top scorer, Liam McBryde, will return, along with Michael Hedley and Chris Hepple.

Horden can still escape the drop, but they need to win their last two matches, starting today at Whitehaven, where they will be missing captain Michael Watson and full back Michael Cockburn Second bottom Alnwick, who have only one game remaining are at home to Washington. Second bottom spot could earn a reprieve if Ryhope CW are forcibly relegated from the second division.

Third bottom Esh Winning, who need two points to be safe have a tough away game at West Allotment, and they welcome back midfielder Darren Morton, but they are missing striker Steve Hodgson because of suspension.

Allotment have several players missing because of injury, but still managed to come back from 3-0 down in midweek to beat Darlington RA.

Tow Law, who scored five at home in midweek, are hoping to reproduce that form at home to Birtley, and they will have Luke Thompson available after missing the midweek game, while Lewis Harrison and Adam McVickers will both have fitness tests. Birtley are without James Allsopp and Scott Garrett.

Chester-le-Street are at home to North Shields, and they welcome back Michael Robson after suspension, as well as Lewis Brown, Tommy Alderson and David Surrey. However, Lewis Lynch and Matthew Morris are both missing. Shields have a long injury list, but Keith Douglas and Jon Hall both return.

In the other game, Seaham Red Star are away to Ryton and Crawcrook.

In the Evostik League, Whitby are at Ashton United, and Blyth are at home to Eastwood Town.