Durham City’s new management team of Andy Inness and Ross Flintoft take charge of their first game when they face Jarrow this afternoon.

The pair took over the second division’s bottom club earlier in the week, and their immediate brief is to steer the club away from the relegation zone into midtable safety.

“Ross and I have watched the players in the last three matches, and we think there’s enough potential there to keep us in the league. All of them will get a chance in the coming weeks,” said Inness, a highly qualified coach working at Monkseaton College.

“We want to strengthen the squad as soon as we can, and we’re going to bring in some high-quality young players from our contacts.

“They need some organisation, and we’ll make sure that they’re well-drilled and well-coached so then we can get some good results and move away from the bottom.”

In the first division Newton Aycliffe, who are in fifth place, have their biggest away game yet at league leaders Hebburn.

Aycliffe have won their last three away league games, and manager Colin Stromsoy said; “We’re looking forward to the challenge. It will be a very tough game as they are bang in form and full of confidence following their 13-0 win in midweek.”

Stromsoy adds Connor Phelan to his squad. Hebburn are currently seven points clear at the top, but Aycliffe could overtake them with the games they have in hand.

Bishop Auckland go to North Shields with a run of four unbeaten games in league and cup behind them and are ninth in the table.

Midfielder Darren Richardson is almost fully fit and could start, but striker Chris Winn is doubtful. Defender Steven Oakley comes into the squad after missing the midweek League cup tie.

Midfielder Jordan Fielding has also left the club.

Shields are currently eleventh in the table, two places and two points behind Bishops.

West Auckland, who are tenth, are at home to third placed Consett.

Manager Gary Forrest said; “This will be a really good test. Consett are certainly going for promotion this season and have invested strongly in their squad. We are playing some great football but need to be more clinical.”

Defenders Jamie Harwood and Jamie Cobain are both unavailable.

Shildon, who haven’t won in three league games, are at Whitley Bay.

Top scorer Billy Greulich-Smith will have a fitness test, but defender Jack Vaulks returns. Midfielder Jordan Lavery is unavailable.

Manager Danny Moore said; “We’ve played in fits and starts lately; we haven’t really got going yet.”

Meanwhile, former Darlington manager Martin Gray has quit as director of coaching at Shildon to concentrate on his business interests.

Northallerton, who dropped into the bottom three last weekend, need to win at home to Ashington, and they are boosted by a comfortable midweek league cup win over Easington.

There are two big derby games on Teesside. Stockton Town are at home to Guisborough, and Billingham Town tackle Thornaby.

In the second division, Willington, who are in fifth place, are at Chester-le-Street.

Willington manager Ibby Hassan will probably choose from a full squad, and said; “It’s a homecoming for me in a way, having played for their Under 18s and then the seniors in the Northern League fourteen years ago.

“If we take the same fighting spirit into the game that we showed last Saturday, then we should get a result.”

Chester manager Colin Wake, who gives a debut to new signing Adam Thirlaway, said; “This will be a tough encounter against one of the promotion favourites.

“But we go into the game in good spirits on the back of a couple of positive results.”

Niall Fingleton and Owen Lancaster also return to the squad.

Esh Winning take on second placed West Allotment, just three days after losing to them in the League Cup. Esh are joint bottom of the table on points with Brandon and Durham but have the best goal difference.

Manager Tony Boakes said; “It’s a quick turn around and it should be a very competitive game.”

New signing Alan Pegram is included in the squad, while Channon North, Maty Alison, Nick Marley and Mykel Summerson all return, but Stephen Fisher and Callum Boakes are both missing.

Second bottom Brandon are at third top Ryton and Crawcrook and are without midfielder Sean Tarling because of suspension.

“We are looking forward to taking on an excellent side, and hopefully we can spring a surprise.”

Tow Law who are tenth but just two point off fourth, are at Easington. Manager Micky Vasey has selection problems as several players are either injured or unavailable.

In the other games, Crook Town are at home to Newcastle University.