BISHOP Auckland manager Ian Chandler has signed two new keepers to boost their promotion hopes ahead of Saturday’s home game with Stockton Town.

First choice Nick Liversedge is out injured, and youngster Kieran Proctor has been taken out of the firing line, so Chandler has signed former Ryhope Cw and Easington keeper Chris Hookes to play in Saturday games, and Dan Gladstone for midweeks.

“We needed a little bit of experience to play in that position, and hopefully the new lads will fight with the rest until the end of the season,” he said.

“We mustn’t let the season fizzle out, we are still in a good place.”

Bishops have dropped to third in the table because Consett won in midweek, but they have two games in hand on them, and they’re ten points behind leaders Dunston UTS.

Kieran Galbraith and Jamie Marshall will both have fitness tests The big games as far as Bishops are concerned are at fifth placed North Shields, where Dunston UTS are the visitors, while Consett go to Sunderland RCA.

West Auckland, who had a good 4-1 away win at Whickham in midweek, are at home to Seaham Red Star. Manager Gary Forrest welcomes strikers David Dowson and Adam Burnicle back into the squad, while Anthony Bell should be fit enough to go on the bench again after injury.

Seaham have improved recently and have climbed out of the bottom three.

Newton Aycliffe face Hebburn at Moore Lane, and they will include new signing defender Liam McNamara from Seaham Red Star, who was with manager Colin Stromsoy at Team Northumbria.

“Hebburn will be a massive challenge as they are flying at the moment and scoring lots of goals. They have a very strong squad, so we know we will have to be at our best on Saturday and get back to the level of performance we put in against Sunderland RCA and Stockton.”

However, striker Warren Byrne is out because of injury.

Shildon take on third bottom Whitley Bay at Dean Street, and they will be missing injured midfielder David Palmer, but defender Dale Mulligan should be fit.

Manager Danny Moore said; “We just need to keep building on our recent form and the aim is to finish the season strong and not lose any games between now and the end of the season.”

Whitley have appointed Nathan Haslam as their new manager. The former Sheffield Wednesday striker has been at Bishop Auckland and Willington previously on the coaching staff.

In the second division, Tow Law welcome new league leaders Thornaby to Ironworks Road.

Lawyers have lost only twice in the last nine games as they’ve climbed up the table, and they include striker Matty Moffat if he passes a fitness test following his return to the club. Defender David Mitchell is also struggling.

Manager Steve Murray said; This will be a big test for us against the league leaders.”

Thornaby are currently a point clear at the top of the second division.

Crook Town, who are unbeaten in their last eight matches, are at second placed Billingham Town. They will be missing striker Phil Caley for the rest of the season because of injury, while Ellis Husband will have a fitness test.

Manager Jamie Tunstall said; “This will be a tough test. Billingham will be desperate for the points after relinquishing top spot, but the lads keep growing in confidence and we’re looking forward to the game.”

Chester-le-Street, who are in fourth after scoring six in midweek against Brandon, are at home to Easington. They have injury doubts over Kevin Dixon, Owen Henderson, Conor Lyons and Michael and Danny Hepplewhite, but Kieran Megran returns to the squad.

“After an improved performance in midweek we are looking to continue our improvement,” said manager Colin Wake. “Easington always prove a difficult side for us to play against and we expect another testing time.”

Easington played on Thursday night against Heaton Stannington, and beat them 2-1.

Northallerton, who are third, face Willington for the fourth time this season, the clubs having already met in the league and twice in the Vase. They include new signing James Rowe, who has arrived from Aycliffe, but Kieran McWaters and Karl Hewitt are both out injured, while Neil Pattinson will have a fitness test.

Bottom club Durham City badly need the three points at home to Washington, as they are 18 points adrift of the third bottom club with just ten games remaining, although whether they will be relegated is in the hands of the FA.

Manager Billy Harper includes new signings Marc Bell and Logan Freeman, while Carl Pottinger returns from injury.

“We need to keep up the intensity during the full game to get the best out of the lads, and if we do that, then I feel confident of a good result.”

Esh Winning, who are third bottom, have a tough away game at Redcar. They include new signings Jordan Stevens and Dan Quine, but they will be missing Kai Hewitson, Callum Boakes and Glenn Donaldson.