MIDDLESBROUGH coach John Moore has banned the word "play-off" this week as his team attempt the first of two major steps back to North One tomorrow.

"The only two words I've stressed are 'beat Morpeth'," he said ahead of the visit of the club who are one point behind second-placed Boro with two games left.

Victory will guarantee Boro a play-off, almost certainly at home to Caldy, who are second in North Two West.

Lee Davis, who has spent much of the season on the wing, is again selected at fly half and Moore said: "Yorkshire Under 20s are playing him there and we think he has the skill and ability to bring our backs into play. He has the experience of Peter Wright and Lee Richardson either side of him.

"We think we are as competent as Morpeth, so hopefully we can make home advantage count."

Boro won easily at Morpeth at a time when the Northumberland club's excellent start had come off the rails. But they have been strengthened recently, particularly by the return of centre Barry Hills from Tynedale.

John Dixon, Dale Sawdon and Neil Parkin return to the Boro pack, with Tom Bivens preferred on the wing to Mark Forster, who is on the bench.

Blaydon have told Durham they would be happy to play the county cup final at Durham City as they don't want to risk losing the toss for home advantage and travelling to Darlington.

They expect to play one of the Darlington clubs and will face them both at home in successive weeks, starting with tomorrow's visit of Mowden Park.

Victory for Blaydon will put them one point behind third-placed Mowden in National Three North with a game in hand, although that is against title favourites Waterloo.

The date for that match is not certain as it had been rearranged for April 24, when county cup finals take priority.

It has now been pencilled in for May 1, although that could hinge on Waterloo's request to make their visit to relegated Longton a double-header as they still haven't played them at home.

Title rivals Halifax have yet to agree to this and will probably wait until they have entertained Waterloo tomorrow week.

Blaydon will have Matt Dehaty back tomorrow, but their other first-choice centre, Peter Kilburn, is doubtful after damaging a shoulder in a county training session.

Dave Marwick deputises for unavailable lock Jimmy Houghton and Mowden's injuries mean they may have to keep prop Ian Keeligan at lock after switching him there during last week's win at Liverpool.

Darlington visit Waterloo tomorrow followed by Blaydon away and Halifax at home to finish their programme. They will also have to visit Mowden for the cup semi-final in midweek, assuming their neighbours win at Stockton next Wednesday (6pm).

Stockton will be strengthened by the return of captain Alan Brown, who makes his return at Horden tomorrow in a match which could have a bearing on relegation in North Two East.

Neither club is safe if three go down and they will be praying for Aspatria to lose at Birkenhead Park as that would relegate the Cumbrians to North Two West instead of two clubs coming down from North One to North Two East.

Stockton have several injury worries in the backs. Jamie Haxwell and Graham Kell are definitely out, while Mattie Oates, Steve Thornton and Nicky Poole are doubtful.

Redcar also need to win at home to Westoe to be sure of safety, while there is little at stake in West Hartlepool's match at York, who are already relegated.

West lock Andrew Davies was handed a 12-month ban by an RFU disciplinary committee on Monday, two days after breaking an ankle in four places at Blaydon.

He was found guilty of abusing an official in the match at Westoe, where he was sent off for the fourth time in his West career.

West chairman Stuart Murray said: "We had requested a full hearing because we held our own inquiry immediately afterwards and we felt this was a heat of the moment exchange with faults on both sides.

"It was another blow for Andrew, whose conduct in every other game this season has been entirely commendable.

"The most important thing for him now is to recover from a very serious injury and get back to work."

* Durham president Keith Wallace has selected a side from Durham and Northumberland divisions three and four to play his club Wearside on Sunday (2pm) to mark their 50th anniversary. He is the first Durham president from the club formerly known as Belford House.

President's XV: B Cummings (West Amateurs), P Craggs, P Davis (Hartlepool BBOB), C Douglas (West Amateurs), A Cooper, M Husband, P Smurthwaite (Jarrovians), M Allen (Durham Constabulary), M Hopper (Jarrovians), D Drinkwater (Seaham), S Jarrett (Durham Constabulary), D Brown (West Amateurs, capt), J Wood (West Amateurs), J Starrs, I Edwards (BBOB).

* The draw for the Durham Challenge Trophy semi-finals on April 10 is: Yarm or Sunderland v Seaham, Winlaton v Chester-le-Street or Hartlepool BBOB.