Very few teams in any league make it through April and May with a perfect record - but Northallerton enter June, the most intense month of the season, on the back of a club record eight consecutive wins.

This is comfortably their best sequence of results since they joined the League in the early 1970's and the pleasing thing from their point of view is the manner in which they have reached this pinnacle.

There have been outstanding efforts from the two pros, but there have been some excellent contributions from many other parts of the team. Skipper Liam Botham has introduced a ruthless approach, and there has been great back up from the likes of Dougie Mulholland, John Sample and Richard Chandler, who have all chipped in with match winning efforts.

At home today they meet bottom club Saltburn, who are adrift at the foot of the table.

The arrival of their two professionals has not yet resulted in an improvement in fortunes, but takes time to acclimatise to a new club and they will be hoping that the next few weeks will bring a sharp upturn in fortunes.

Both sides are unchanged.

Despite their form, Northallerton have been unable to shake off the attentions of Middlesbrough who have seven straight wins to their name.

In fact the only difference is the 15 points gained by the leaders on the opening day of the season when they won what is now seen as a crucial victory over Boro.

Middlesbrough, because of their strength in depth, would look to be favourites in their home fixture with Hartlepool who rely heavily on Michael Gough and Thara Gunarathne.

Boro have adopted a rotation system to try and give some players a decent game - this week Richard Stringer, Daniel Trodden and John Meredith let Ben Hutchinson, Andrew Taylor and Hanza Hussain have a more involved run out with the seconds. There is only one change for Pools who have Dan Shurmer replacing Ian Walker.

Marton entertain champions Great Ayton.

The home side suffered their first real setback of the season when losing to Boro last Saturday but then bounced straight back to thrash Blackhall on Monday and maintain a real interest in the title race.

The Bank Holiday weekend also provided the platform for Great Ayton to rediscover the winning habit and surge up to fifth place with Pakistan international Riaz Afridi ominously back to top form.

Marton make one change with Chris Simpson replacing Gary Knight while Ayton have James Marshall back from holiday.

Richmondshire also had a great end to May with two victories that lifted them into fourth place.

They are at home to Guisborough who showed how quickly fortunes can change.

Following a record breaking run chase last Saturday they were thumped in the local derby by Ayton on Monday.

Richmond have made a conscious effort to be more positive in their approach and believe their upsurge in fortunes is principally down to their attitude. They turn out the same side and Guisborough miss Richard Dunn who is replaced by Anthony Parsons.

Blackhall called an emergency team meeting to hopefully iron out the problems they encountered last Monday. Anthony Gray comes into the side in place of the holidaying Richard Watts for their home clash with Bishop Auckland who include Keith Stones for the trip.

Marske take on Redcar in a local derby.

Colin Haslett and Mike Walton come in for Gary Lynch and skipper Chris Nicholls who is on holiday, Jon Wiltshire deputising as captain in his absence.

Redcar continue to ring the changes, either enforced or otherwise - Ryan Lazenby plays against his old club, and also coming in are Sean McGarry, Jason Boardman and Robbie Whelan.

Normanby Hall entertain Darlington in a match crucial to both teams. The home side have a decent points cushion over Saltburn but will want to bolster that against the Quakers who have real injury concerns over both their'pros. Neil Pratt had to delay his comeback last weekend on doctors advice but feels he will be able to play, while Mandla Mashimbyi has a leg muscle strain that has required attention and is not 100 per cent fit.

In Division One there is another double weekend but it looks increasingly like it is going to be a three horse race as the pre-season favourites, Thornaby, hold a very convincing pole position, with Billingham and Seaton Carew trying to hang onto their coat tails.

Thornaby will expect a maximum return from their game at rock bottom Bedale today, and at home to Guisborough tomorrow, while Billingham also have games with two teams in the bottom half of the league and Seaton have two home matches.