Shildon manager Danny Moore says that he has wiped the slate clean for his players as they prepare for their home game with Ashington today.

Shildon were amongst the early pacesetters for the title, but they dropped down to ninth in the table following their 4-1 home defeat by Dunston UTS last week.

“We can’t keep performing well one week, and then not the next,” he said. “We played well in the Vase at Barton but then badly against Dunston in the league. We went from one end of the spectrum to another. I need to have everyone playing at an 8 or 9 out of 10 level every week.

“I’ve told the players that I’ve wiped the slate clean now, and it’s time to push on. I still believe that we can get into the top four.”

Defender Jamie Harwood and midfielder Jack Blackford are both struggling with injuries today.

West Auckland, who are in fifth place, are at home to second bottom Whickham, and they have several injuries to contend with.

Midfielder Anth Bell, defender Dan Parker, forward Nathan Fisher are all out injured for several weeks, while winger Arran Wearmouth and midfielders Tommy Price and Denver Morris will be missing as well. Another midfielder, Alex Francis, will have a fitness test, while defender Chris Hunter has gone back to South Shields at the end of his loan.

Newton Aycliffe, who have lost only once in their last six matches, are at home to Newcastle Benfield.

Manager Deano Browne chooses from a fully fit squad, and said; “We are looking forward to the game and avenging the defeat of a month ago when we deserved to get beat, so the lads are chomping at the bit.”

Aycliffe lost the reverse game against Benfield last month by 3-0.

In the other first division matches, league leaders Consett are at home to Hebburn, while third placed Dunston UTS, who are unbeaten in the league this season, face Stockton Town.

Guisborough, who are fourth bottom, go to Sunderland RCA, while Seaham Red Star face Ryhope CW in a local derby. Whitley Bay host bottom club Penrith, who are without a win this season In the second division, third placed Chester-le-Street, who lost at home to Tow Law last week, need to bounce back at home to Jarrow two places behind them. Cameron Nichol, Jack Wilson and Andrew Clarkson are all missing because of injury, while Kieran Megran is unavailable.

Manager Colin Wake said; “We are expecting a close game after both ourselves and Jarrow suffered heavy defeats at the weekend.”

Northallerton are at home to Billingham Synthonia and hoping to maintain their 100 per cent home record – they’ve won all six of their home league games so far, scoring 25 times.

Stephen Cheeseman and Josh Knox are both definitely out, but five other players, including Chris Emms, all return.

“We want to keep our sequence of results going,” said manager Darren Trotter.

Brandon face Durham City in a big game at the bottom of the second division.

Durham manager Wayne Gredziak said; “This game doesn’t come any bigger for both teams. We’re locked on seven points and only goal difference separating both teams at the foot of the table. A win for either team will put them back in touching distance with the lower end of the pack. A draw will not do in my eyes and we will be focusing on three points which we need.”

Durham welcome Jack Marley, Glen Donaldson and Kieran Richardson back into squad and have a full squad to pick from.

Crook, who won their last away game are at Heaton Stannington and will make several changes from the team that played in the League Cup in midweek, while third bottom Esh Winning are at Washington.

Of the other games, second placed Thornaby face Easington in a match that has been reversed from Easington because of wind damage.