Spennymoor are guaranteed a play off place at the end of the season. Moors' 2-0 victory over Whitby on Monday and Blyth's failure to defeat Altrincham on Wednesday night, mean that Moors will be one of the eight teams looking for a Northern Conference place at the end of the season.

"I think we've played some of our best football of the season over the last seven games," said manager Tony Lee.

"We were very unlucky to lose at Hucknall, Lancaster and Vauxhall Motors. We did very well to draw at Alfreton, and should have won at Bradford. I thought we thoroughly deserved our win on Monday, while we had that little bit of luck when the keeper was sent off against Ashton.

"But we must keep picking up points, because it will be important to have home advantage in the first play off game."

Moors are 18th, which at the moment means an away game at Bradford PA in the play offs.

After beating Whitby Town on Monday, Spennymoor could play the Seasiders again in the play offs.

The UniBond League has confirmed the format for the prize of a place in the Northern Conference, and there is every chance that the two clubs could meet again in the play off semis.

Finishing 14th would be a big advantage because that club could have home advantage in every game in the play-offs.

Format

Match 1: Premier Division 14th v First Division champions

Match 2: Premier Division 15th v Premier Division 20th

Match 3: Premier Division 16th v Premier Division 19th

Match 4: Premier Division 17th v Premier Division 18th.

* Games to be played on Tuesday, April 27.

Semi finals: Match 5: Winners Match 1 v Winners Match 4

Match 6: Winners Match 2 v Winners Match 3.

* Games to be played on Saturday, May 1

Final: Winners Match 5 v Winners Match 6

* To be played on Monday, May 3

Meanwhile, the league is expecting to gain at least four clubs from the Southern League when the feeder leagues reshuffle at the end of the season.

The UniBond will lose 13 clubs to the new Northern Conference, but it will gain another eight from the Northern Counties East and West Leagues.

Jarrow Roofing and Whitley Bay from the Northern League have withdrawn their applications. Clitheroe, Congleton, Mossley, Warrington and Woodley Sports from the NWCL have applied, along with Brigg, Buxton, Eastwood Town, Ossett Albion and Selby from the NCEL. It isn't yet clear how those two feeder leagues will make up their missing numbers.

Bishop Auckland might be promoted this weekend - but nobody at Dean Street is getting too excited at the possibility.

Bishops' 3-2 home win over Bridlington gave them their first win in ten league matches - their last league win was against Gateshead in early march - but with Rossendale and Stocksbridge both losing, some daylight has suddenly opened on the chasing pack.

Bishops have a tough away game at Lincoln United this weekend, but if they win that and the four clubs behind all drop points, then Bishops might be up.

"If we win, there's a distinct possibility we might be promoted," said Honour.

"But our season has been such a roller coaster, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes right up to the end of our last game at Witton Albion.

"We might win on Saturday, and all the other clubs might win as well, in which case we'll be no further forward.

"Last Wednesday's game typified our season. We were 2-0 up, then we conceded two, before we picked ourselves up again. There was a whole range of emotions in just 90 minutes."

Bishops led with goals from Stuart Irvine and Shaun Hope, before Bridlington hit back to draw level. However, sub Neil Maddison got the winner with five minutes left.

Meanwhile, Bishop Auckland chairman Terry Jackson has backed manager Honour.

Honour revealed last week that he is thinking of quitting at the end of the season, but Jackson doesn't want him to go.

"People like and respect Brian for what he has done for the club," said Jackson.

"He has done a good job for us, in very trying circumstances.

"For example, we had a very hectic schedule in which we had to go to Leek on a Monday night, in the middle of a spell of four games in eight days. He has got a lot of support at Bishop, and we hope that he'll reconsider."

It is understood that several other officials have spoken privately to Honour in recent days, and they are optimistic that they have changed his mind.

There are still a handful of places available on Bishop Auckland FC Independent Supporters Club's bus to Lincoln United tomorrow. Fares are £9 for ISC members and £11 for non members. For more details, or to book a seat, call John Cowey on 07766 441043.

Midweek results: Premier Division: Monday: Altrincham 0 Alfreton 1, Barrow 3 Blyth 0, Frickley 2 Wakefield 1, Gainsborough 2 Worksop 1, Harrogate 0 Bradford PA 1, Hucknall 1 Droylsden 1, Radcliffe 1 Ashton 2, Southport 2 Stalybridge 3, Spennymoor 2 Whitby 0, Vauxhall Motors 1 Marine 0.

Wednesday: Ashton United 0 Worksop 3, Blyth 2 Altrincham 2, Runcorn 0 Burscough 0, Stalybridge 1 Marine 1.

First Division: Monday: Bamber Bridge 0 Chorley 0, Belper 0 Matlock 2, Guiseley 2 Farsley 0, Hyde 3 Bridlington 1, Kidsgrove 0 Leek 1, North Ferriby 2 Ossett Town 3, Prescot Cables 0 Rossendale 1, Stocksbridge 0 Colwyn Bay 3, Witton Albion 1 Lincoln United 3, Workington 0 Kendal 1.

Wednesday: Bishop Auckland 3 Bridlington 2, Rossendale 1 Gateshead 3, Workington 2 Stocksbridge 0.

TOMORROW'S fixtures: Premier Division: Burcough v Marine, Harrogate Town v Wakefield and Emley, Hucknall v Bradford PA, Lancaster v Gainsborough, Runcorn v Stalybridge, Southport v Ashton United, Spennymoor v Radcliffe Borough, Vauxhall Motors v Blyth, Whitby v Altrincham, Worksop v Barrow

First Division: Bamber Bridge v Guiseley, Bridlington v Matlock, Chorley v Leek, Farsley Celtic v Gateshead, Kendal v Colwyn Bay, Kidgsrove v Workington, Lincon United v Bishop Auckland, North Ferriby v Belper, Ossett Town v Prescot Cables, Rossendale v Hyde, Stocksbridge v Witton Albion.