Jarrow Roofing are ploughing ahead with ground improvements should they be in a position to move into the UniBond League next season.

UniBond League inspectors visited the three Northern League clubs who have expressed an interest in moving upwards, with Horden and Whitley Bay also on their agenda.

And Roofing owner Richie McLoughlin is encouraged by the inspectors' recommendations.

"We're quite optimistic that we can meet the requirements," he said. "They've told us that we need an extra 60 seats, a new referee's room, a separate committee room, and some hardstanding.

"We have to finish in the top three, and overall, we're going all out."

Horden received a visit on the same day as their new facilities were almost completed.

Their new £112,000 dressing room complex should be open in time for Tow Law's visit tomorrow, and secretary Rob Jones said: "The UniBond inspectors told us that we must be one of the first clubs to have a female changing room. They've told us that we must have a fence behind our bottom goal, some hardstanding, and a straight walkway from the dressing rooms to the pitch.

"At least we now know what we have to do, should we get the chance to move upwards."

Murton's ten game unbeaten record was ended by Willington last Saturday - and Murton secretary Chris Fahey put it down to Willington boss Alan Shoulder.

Willington scored twice in the last 15 minutes to secure the points, and lift them away from relegation trouble.

Fahey said: "Alan tortured us. The 20-year-olds in our team were outdone by him."

Ironically, Murton's previous defeat before Saturday was against Willington, way back in November, at Hall Lane.

Shoulder, meanwhile, said: "If we can get all our injured and unavailable players back, then we can get out of trouble."

Bedlington have reported keeper Gareth Powell to the league, after he moved to Gateshead. Reporting a player to the league is the usual procedure adopted by clubs.

Shotton manager Vince Kirkup is preparing his team for two big matches in the next fortnight.

Shotton, bottom of the table and nine points off safety, have games coming up against midtable Kennek Ryhope and second bottom Easington.

"We have got to try and win games against clubs outside of the top four," he said. "The difference when we play these sort of teams is who scores first."

Shildon manager Ray Gowan has admitted that he's surprised Garry Barnes hasn't been approached by clubs from a higher level.

Barnes, who is on a contract at Dean Street, has scored 40 goals in 36 games this season, and Gowan said: "I'm amazed we've received no direct approaches.

"Clubs higher up than us are struggling to score goals, and Garry's record is quite phenomenal, and is some going.

"Hopefully, he's got over the little barren spell he's had recently, and he's been showing recently that his finishing is clinical again. And at the age of 22, he's not a bad age at which he can step up into the Football League, if the chance ever came along."

Washington Nissan have placed defender Glen Moan on the transfer list at his own request.

Northallerton's hopes of claiming the points from their abandoned game against Prudhoe have been dashed. Northallerton led 4-0 when the lights went out after 73 minutes, but the League have turned down their request for the points.

Brandon have been fined £100 by the league for misconduct of one of their officials in a recent match. The club has been fined the same amount by Durham FA.

Easington manager Peter Grasham blasted his players after their 8-0 defeat at Whickham on Saturday.

Easington are facing relegation and Grasham said: "We were rubbish.

"We try to play nice football, but we don't hurt anybody. I can't defend the lads for that performance.

"We must get points on the table."

Latest performance of the week awards: 13th December; Chester-le-Street for their 4-1 win at Brandon; 20th December Shotton for their 3-0 home win over Prudhoe in the Craven Cup; 27th December Jarrow Roofing for their 7-2 win at Whitley Bay, 3rd January Guisborough for their 4-1 win at Whitley Bay; 10th January Durham for their 2-0 win at Dunston; 17 January, Penrith for their 3-2 home win over Peterlee.

The Ernest Armstrong Memorial Trophy, which wasn't held at the start of this season, is to be revived next season. The league is hoping that Consett, Crook, Tow Law and Willington will be able to play.

The draw for the fourth round of the league cup is:

Esh Winning or Northallerton v Washington or Billingham Synthonia, Penrith or Marske v Alnwick or South Shields, Washington Nissan or Morpeth v Dunston or Whickham, Brandon or Murton v Durham or Thornaby.

The draw for the third round of the Craven Cup is:

Newcastle Benfield or Washington Nissan v South Shields or Newcastle Blue Star, Hebburn or Crook v Seaham Red Star or Northallerton, Evenwood or Shotton v Willington or Norton, Whickham or Ashington v Alnwick or Consett.