Spennymoor Town are in the driving seat at the top when they go Sunderland RCA.

Closest pursuers Shildon and Consett both lost in midweek to keep Moors two points clear, but manager Jason Ainsley said: “Just because Shildon and Consett dropped points, doesn’t mean to say that they won’t win the league. We’ve still got to be worried about Newcastle Benfield and Whitley Bay, so there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Keeper Craig Turns is unavailable so Simon Bishop deputises, full back Kallum Griffiths is suspended, while there will be fitness tests for midfielder Craig Hubbard and striker Micky Rae.

The RCA will be without suspended midfielder Marc Ellison, while full back Adam McGuinness is unavailable.

Second placed Shildon’s title hopes have just about disappeared, as they have played five games more than Moors. The Railwaymen are at home to South Shields, and manager Gary Forrest will be missing defenders Dave Gordon and Darren Hollingsworth because of injury, while midfielder Bobby Moore is suspended and striker Steve Johnson is also injured. Midfielder/defender Gary Brown has gone to Durham City. Shields are without Stephen Ramsey, Chris Winn and Simon Parkin all because of injury for the rest of the season.

Consett have a tricky away game at Billingham Synthonia, who won at Shildon in midweek, and acting manager Dave Hagan is without three defenders because of injury – Carl Piecha, David Scorer and Scott Martindale – so he has re-signed Michael Coulthard from Tow Law and Graham Irving from Bishop Auckland.

Synners are without striker James Magowan, but defender Andy Forster and midfielder Chay Liddle return.

West Auckland, who are equal fifth after winning at Consett in midweek, are at Bedlington, and will be without Tom Berj and Jonathan Gibson because of suspension, while Stuart Banks is missing.

Improving Bishop Auckland, who are now well away from relegation danger, are at home to Newcastle Benfield, and will give a home debut to former Boro youngster Phil Shed in defence. Midfielder Dan O’Donnell and striker Dan Hawkins are both added to the squad, but midfielder Karl Everitt is suspended. Benfield, who are ten points behind Moors with a game in hand, have doubts over midfielder Phil Lumsden and striker Michael Chilton.

Billingham Town are at bottom club Ryton, hoping that their hosts’ 36 game run without a win doesn’t come to an end. Defenders James Middleton and Richie Dacombe both return to the squad, while striker Micky Dunwell is on the road to recovery after breaking his leg. Ryton haven’t scored for eight matches.

Norton, playing their third game in five days, are at West Allotment, and are missing Steve Baker and Karl Richards.

Allotment need to win to keep their hope of avoiding the drop alive, and they have doubts over player-manager Paul Stoneman, while there are doubts over Stephen Buzzeo and Craig Scott.

Tow Law face Penrith at Ironworks Road, and will be almost at full strength, except for Jamie Turnbull who is out for the season with broken ribs.

At the bottom, Stokesley can take another big step towards safety if they beat Ashington. Strikers Adam Emson and James Decosmo are both missing because of injury for Stokesley, while midfielder Brian Close will have a fitness test.

Ashington will give five players fitness tests ahead of the game – defenders Liam Atkin and Darren Lough, midfielder Steven Shaw, and strikers Phil Bell and Johnny Godsmark.

Esh Winning, who were relegated on Thursday night because of Stokesley's win, are at home to Dunston. Jake Johnson plays in goal instead of the unavailable Andrew Spence, while Graham Kime and Daniel Lennon will both have fitness tests.

Dunston, playing their fourth game in eight days, are missing striker Steve Goddard, but defender Kane Young is added to the squad.