Brandon’s new joint manager Anth Lee says that Saturday’s home game with Washington is massive if they are to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Lee, who was appointed as joint manager with Sean Tarling and Mattie Thompson following the departure of Rob Bowron, has been tasked with lifting the club out of the bottom two – and they need to beat Washington, who are third bottom, to have a chance.

“This a massive game for us if we’re going to get out of trouble,” he said. “I think we need at least another five wins to make sure. We had a good win in midweek against Durham, and we had a draw last Saturday against Willington, so we’ve picked up four points from two games, whereas it had taken 21 games to pick up six points before.

“The team needed some organisation, so hopefully we can provide that until the end of the season.”

In the first division, league leaders Stockton Town, who are six points clear, are at home to Ashington, and manager Micky Dunwell expects to choose from a full squad, with former Boro player Jonathan Franks making his home debut.

Dunwell said; “Hopefully another three points will keep us on track.” Stockton are unbeaten in the league since October.

Shildon, who lost to Stockton last week, go to Sunderland RCA, and manager Danny Moore will have a full squad to choose from. Striker Billy Greulich-Smith scored his 150th goal for the club in midweek.

“We just have to start another run of wins after Saturday’s result and it’s a fight to finish second now,” said Moore.

The Railwaymen are currently in third place, three points behind Hebburn and three ahead of Consett.

Newton Aycliffe could do Stockton and Shildon a favour by beating fourth placed Consett, and manager Colin Stromsoy could choose an unchanged side.

Bishop Auckland are at Newcastle Benfield, and they are without midfielder Liam Potter, who has a broken ankle.

Manager Ian Chandler will add a couple of younger players to his squad for the game and said; “With us not having a game for two weeks, I am hopeful the squad will be refreshed and eager to take three points from the game. As we've seen quite often this season anything less than our best won't do and I am sure Benfield will take advantage, they have good players who can hurt us if allowed.”

Bishops are currently tenth in the table, with Benfield a place behind them.

West Auckland go to Whickham, looking for a boost ahead of their big Vase tie at Plymouth Parkway next week.

Jamie Cobain, Dan Mitton and David Dowson all return to the squad, and manager Gary Forrest said; We need to carry on with the great form we’re in at the moment.”

West haven’t lost in 13 league and cup games – they were only beaten at Spennymoor in the Durham Challenge Cup on penalties – while Whickham are bottom of the table.

There’s a Teesside derby between Guisborough and Billingham Town at the King George.

Guisborough are unbeaten in their last seven league games, to go sixth, and new signing Craig Hutchinson will play against his old club. Manager Gary Forster said; “We need to avenge the last minute defeat at their place earlier in the season.”

Town who have lost their last two matches, are without Kris Summers, who is suspended, while Mark Dixon returns to the squad.

Third bottom Northallerton will have their recent revival tested by second placed Hebburn, and they include new signing Chris Stockton, a midfielder from Stockton Town in their squad.

Second bottom Thornaby have a six pointer at home to Seaham Red Star, and they include two new signings – defender Mattie Crust from Guisborough, midfielder Lewis Murphy from Northallerton as well as youngster Bobby Rye from their under 23s.

In the second division, fourth placed Crook Town have a big home game against second placed Redcar, who are eight points ahead of them.

Crook manager Jamie Tunstall, who is hoping to make a new signing before the game, said; “They don’t come much tougher than Redcar, they like to get the ball down and try and play football, but I thought we were unfortunate not to get something from their place earlier in the season. The onus is on us to get a win as that brings Redcar closer to us. It’s important to keep our momentum up.”

Joe Hillerby is missing, while Calum Johnston and Daniel Kent are both doubtful.

Redcar welcome Lee Bythway and Joe Bennett back into their squad, and manager Steve Connolly said; “Crook are flying, and we know that going away to them will be very difficult to come away with anything.”

Tow Law have climbed up to the fringe of the promotion battle in recent weeks, and they’re in seventh place for their big home game with Heaton Stannington, who are a place and a point above them.

Defender Mark Pattison returns after suspension, and manager Micky Vasey said; “It’s always a hard game against Heaton Stannington.”

Willington take on ninth placed Billingham Synthonia at Hall Lane, looking for their first win in four matches. They include new signing Aidan Hart from Bishop Auckland in their squad and manager Ibby Hassan said; “We need to continue our strong home form following two frustrating results in the league.

“It’s important that we don’t allow our season to fizzle out and keep the season motivated.”

Synners are without defender Mattie Lovatt because of suspension, and manager Dave Dickson said; “This is a really important game for us to win. The forecast is for very windy conditions and so I am expecting a tough 90 minutes.”

Esh Winning have a tough home game against third placed Ryton and Crawcrook, and they will give Glenn Donaldson and Scott Arnott fitness tests, while top scorer Channon North returns.

Manager Tony Boakes said; “We’re expecting this to be a very competitive match.”

Chester-le-Street are at home to bottom club Durham city, and they include new signings Alfie Pearn from Ryhope CW and Jack Brown from Easington.

Manager Colin Wake said; “We need to improve in both boxes of we want to gain anything from games, and the lads will be told that again in no uncertain terms.”

Durham dropped to the bottom of the table in midweek, and since then, chairman Gary Hutchinson has denied that the club is folding after their secretary, Fred Usher quit. “It has been really hard and may get harder,” he said, “but the club does not intend to fold and we will do our best to turn it around.”