Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is looking forward to playing in a "very competitive" UniBond League Premier Division next season.

Bishops clinched their place in the Premier Division with their win over Farsley last week, and Honour said: "It should be a very good division next season. There should be plenty of local derbies, when you consider that Blyth, Gateshead, Spennymoor and Whitby are all in there, plus there are games in Yorkshire against the likes of Farsley, Guiseley and Wakefield.

"There shouldn't be too many long treks, and in some ways, it will be like the old Northern League.

"But we have to bear in mind that some people will see us as relegation favourites next season, because we finished in the 13th promotion place. We need to strengthen the squad, and that's what we'll be looking at."

Chairman Terry Jackson is delighted that Bishops are back in the top division, after being booted out two years ago.

"From a UniBond perspective it's certainly the only place to be although it does mean that relegation would be very painful as that league between the Unibond Premier and Albany Northern is pretty much no-man's land. There would be no-one else in our area in that league. From a Bishops' perspective, given the rather difficult two or three years we have endured it is fair to say we have achieved our short term playing objectives, thanks to a very professional approach from Brian and the team."

Spennymoor's hopes of Conference football were dashed when they lost 3-1 at Bradford on Wednesday, after conceding two goals in the first half hour.

Manager Tony Lee said: "I thought Bradford deserved to win because they were the better team.

"We made two horrendous mistakes in defence for their first two goals, then they caught us just after half time.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't win, because we did well down there in the league only a few weeks ago."

Tommy Raw, who did well at Spennymoor when on loan from Scarborough, has been freed by the Conference club.

Whitby Town went out of the play offs on Tuesday night when they lost to Radcliffe Borough on penalties at the Turnbull Ground.

Whitby got off to a great start when Alex Gildea put them ahead after four minutes but Simon Carden equalised after 70 minutes. Steve Foster put Radcliffe ahead in extra time, but Craig Veart equalised deep into extra time. Radcliffe won the penalty shootout 8-7 with the game eventually finishing just after 10.30pm. Ironically, Whitby had beaten Radcliffe twice in the league this season. Radcliffe are now at home to Burscough.

Gateshead told officials at the UniBond League meeting on Sunday that they're almost saved and expect to make a statement in the next few days.