Bishop Auckland manager Steve Riley says that the experience of new coach Gary Bennett will be invaluable ahead of their home game with Penrith this afternoon.

Bennett, who coached and then managed Darlington in the Football League and had a long playing career with Sunderland and then Quakers, agreed to step in after assistant manager Nathan Haslam left the club.

“Gary has agreed to come until the end of the season, which is great for us,” said Riley. “He wants to do a bit more on the coaching side of things, and he has plenty of experience and know-how in the game. So as far as we’re concerned, it’s a win-win situation. We’re grateful that he’s agreed to come in and help.”

Bennett will probably be at the game today, but he will miss future games because of his BBC Radio commitments with Sunderland.

Defender Ross Colquhoun will be missing today because of injury.

Shildon manager Daniel Moore is hoping for a fruitful relationship with Micky Barron as the pair begin their management partnership at Ashington this afternoon.

Moore, who was appointed manager last weekend, welcomed the former Hartlepool player as his assistant in midweek, and he hopes to add further to his coaching team later in the winter.

Barron is now working in education, and Moore said; “Micky wants to be involved in a coaching role, which suits me because I can get on with management. I couldn’t do everything on my own, it’s impossible at this level of football. I’m pretty sure that we’ll work well together.”

Full back Steve capper is missing, but winger Chris Bell and midfielder David Vincent will both return. Ashington are without midfielder Paul Antony because of injury.

Fifth bottom West Auckland are at bottom club West Allotment, hoping to put some more daylight between themselves and the bottom three, and they include new striker Zak Boagey, signed from Newton Aycliffe, in their squad , while defender Lewis Galpin plays for the first time since joining a month ago. West have put striker Matty Moffat on the transfer list.

Allotment, meanwhile, are hoping to make at least three new signings before the game, but Liam Hudson is out injured.

Dunston UTS are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and they add recent signings Warren Byrne, Steve Richardson, Darryl Hall and Chris Youldon to their squad after missing the midweek game, but midfielder James Luccock and forward Scott Heslop are injured. Roofing, who are hoping to recover from their trouncing by South Shields last week, are without striker Paul Chow and defender Adam Smith.

North Shields are hoping to extend their lead at the top to eleven points by beating Chester-le-Street, and they will ne at full strength now that Bobby Taylor is fit again.

Chester, who have a better away record than home record, welcome back Dominic Laws, Michael Hepplewhite and Aaron Reynolds, but David Latham, Daniel McGuire and Jack Honour are all missing.

Morpeth, who are fourth, are at home to Newcastle Benfield, and will be missing midfielder Keith Graydon and defender Chris Reid because of suspension.

Marske United are at Seaham Red Star, and manager Carl Jarrett includes new signing Ashley Coffey from Newton Aycliffe, while defender Joe Ferguson returns to the squad. Seaham will give Andy Johnson, Craig Lynch and David Scorer fitness tests, while Ryan Burton returns to the squad after injury.

Ryhope CW are at home to Whitley Bay, and they are hoping that defenders Tom Bott, Dave Gordon and Stephen Francis will all return. Whitley will be without striker Adam Shanks, while Callum Munro is expected to join Ryhope before the game, and play against them.

The big game in the second division is between the bottom two, Esh Winning and Darlington RA at Waterhouses.

Esh, who won their last home game against Crook, welcome back Dan Maddison, Mark Bailes and Matty Allison, but they are missing Max Stoker and Kai Hewitson.

Second bottom RA welcome back Glenn Donaldson to the side, while manager Peter Mulcaster could add a new signing.

There are three points between the two sides at the moment.

Leaders Stockton Town are at home to Hebburn, and Stockton manager Micky Dunwell will have a full squad as they try to stretch their unbeaten league run to twelve matches. Hebburn, who have only won once in their last seven matches, are without Alan Pegram because of injury, but James Davidson and Glen Hargrave both return.

Billingham Synthonia who are third top, are at third bottom Ryton and Crawcrook, and they will be missing striker Nathan Steel because of injury.

Billingham Town, in fourth, are at home to Blyth Town, and manager Barry Oliver expects everyone to be fit. Billingham haven’t lot in eleven league games, but they were beaten in midweek in the Ernest Armstrong Cup by Stockton Town.

Durham City, who dropped to sixth because of Blyth Town’s win in midweek, take on Brandon and manager Olly Hotchkiss has no injury problems to be concerned about.

Brandon, who are fifth bottom, are missing Joe Calvert and James Moore because they are away on County duty. Striker Lewis Martin returns after injury, but Kyle Wren and Dan Pearson are both missing.

Easington, who are on the fringe of the race, are at Northallerton and include new striker David Paul, signed from Bedlington.

Crook Town, who are fourth bottom , are looking for their second successive win at home to Willington, and manager Wilf Constantine adds Jamie Tunstall and Tom Iley, who have completed their suspensions, to the squad.

Thornaby are at Heaton Stannington, and they add leading scorer Gary Mitchell to their squad.

In the other games Whickham are at home to second placed Team Northumbria.

The draw for the quarter finals of the Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup is: Newcastle Benfield v South Shields, Sunderland RCA v Bishop Auckland or Marske, Shildon v Stockton Town, North Shields v Dunston.

First Division club Washington are looking for a new manager following the decision of Richie Latimer to quit for personal reasons.