Consett manager Ray Lish has warned his players about complacency.

After last weekend's results went in their favour, Consett are now 15 points clear, and looking certainities to regain the First Division place they lost last season.

But Lish has squashed dressing room talk that the Steelmen could be promoted by Christmas.

"Before the game against Shotton last weekend, I told the players that they mustn't get carried away, and things could change very quickly," he said.

"But it didn't seem to sink in with one or two players and at half time we were losing 2-0. Fortunately, we woke up in the second half and won the game 3-2.

"I've told the players that they've heard the saying that a week can be a long time in politics, well it's also the same in football, especially with suspensions and injuries.

"After last Saturday's game we might have 47 points, but we'll need 87 points to get promoted."

Billingham Town have withdrawn their interest in joining the UniBond League at the end of the season, leaving three Northern League clubs in the frame - Jarrow Roofing, Horden and Whitley Bay.

Secretary Glenn Youngman said: "We never made an application to the UniBond League. All we did was make an enquiry, and then, after we'd done some research, we withdrew our interest."

The new style UniBond First Division could cover a huge area next season, with clubs scattered from North Wales to Tyneside, and travel costs are clearly a compelling factor as far as Northern League clubs eyeing promotion are concerned.

The league has lobbied the FA on many occasions about the pyramid set up, and an EGM of clubs is planned for January, with Mike Appleby, one of the FA's decision makers, due to attend.

Meanwhile, Town used their new lights for the first time against Squires Gate in the FA Vase last Saturday.

However, they had no margin for error, because the contractors didn't complete the job until 9.30pm on Friday evening.

"I was worried that I was going to receive a phone call telling me they weren't going to be ready," said Youngman.

Full back Anthony Lee made a good return in his comeback game for Town last weekend.

Lee decided to quit at the start of the season when he was at Bedlington because of injury, but decided to return to his previous club Billingham Town.

He played from the start against Squires Gate in the FA Vase last weekend, and managed to play 90 minutes plus extra time.

His manager Alan Robinson said: "Anthony did very well -- he could hardly walk near the end of the game!"

Billingham Synthonia and Billingham Town have agreed to bring forward their local derby to Boxing Day morning, kick off 11am.

Durham FA have agreed to requests from clubs to play their Durham Challenge Cup ties in the first full week in January, instead of between Christmas and New Year. There was some reluctance to play on December 29 and 30 because some players had arranged holidays at that time. The dates confirmed so far are; Monday 5 January; Gateshead v Jarrow Roofing, Tuesday 6 January; Billingham Synthonia v Spennymoor, Sunderland Reserves v Bishop Auckland; Wednesday 7 January; Shildon v Billingham Town .

Easington's new boss Peter Grasham is looking forward to his first job as a Northern League manager.

Grasham, who was unsuccessful with his application during the summer, takes over from former Middlesbrough player Graeme Hedley, who has quit for personal reasons.

He said: "I was a bit surprised at first, but I jumped at the chance.

"I know that it's not an easy challenge, but I feel that wherever I've been as a manager, I've always made a club better."

Grasham has been manager of several junior teams in the past, and also with Redcar Town in the Wearside League.

Tow Law intend to appeal against the red card of full back Carl Beasley at Penrith last weekend.

Beasley was sent off following an alleged spitting incident in the second half, and Tow Law manager Steve Smith said: "The referee has said that he sent Carl off for swearing, but he was spat upon first, which is absolutely disgraceful. Even some of their players couldn't defend their teammate's action."

Shildon assistant manager Phil Owers was relieved that Shildon's scheduled league game with Billingham Town was postponed in midweek.

The match has to be re-arranged because Town were involved in an FA Vase replay, and Owers said: "I think the players could do with a rest, because they've been playing two games per week.

"We don't have much strength in depth which means that we can't rest players."

Shildon still have 25 league games to play, plus they are still involved in the FA Vase, Durham Challenge Cup and League Cup. They play Brandon at Dean Street in the league cup this Wednesday.

Willington manager Alan Shoulder has been ordered to appear in front of Durham FA to discuss his dismissal from the bench in Willington's draw at Newcastle Benfield Saints last month. The incident indirectly led to the abandonment of the game, which is under investigation by Durham FA.

Seaham Red Star have signed four players; keeper Paul Clements from the East Durham Academy, right back Marc Batey from Bishop Auckland, midfielder Chris Cronin, once of Sunderland, and centre half John Linighan from Washington Nissan.

Midfielder Neil Hood has been put on the transfer list at his own request.

Peterlee striker Anthony Dobell, who has scored ten goals in the league this season, has signed for UniBond League Whitby Town.

Crook Town sacked manager Vince Kirkup on Wednesday, after they were thumped 6-0 at Prudhoe the night before.

Les Langley takes over as caretaker manager for tomorrow's bottom of the table clash against Shotton.

Crook and Willington are in dispute over a junior player whom Crook signed from Willington, allegedly without their permission. The dispute could go as far as the FA at Soho Square.

The regionalised north and south draws for the third round of the FA Vase will mean some long distance trips for North-East clubs.

The reference books and roadmaps will certainly be used after the draw was made on Monday, with some clubs facing the possibility of 500 mile round trips, and fuelling the debate about what should be classed as north and south.

Durham City go to Leamington in Warwickshire, Billingham Synthonia go to Wellington near Hereford, Shildon head for Oadby in Leicestershire and Guisborough go even further down the M1 to Northamptonshire for their game against Desborough.

Bearing in mind the travel costs involved it is unlikely that they will be able to charge for an overnight stay in a hotel before the game - then the prize money of £1,200 will come in very handy.

Shildon look certain to turn down a proposal by Oadby to switch their tie to Sunday December 14 from the previous day, because Leicester City are in Premiership action.

Shildon will be subsidising transport to their game at Oadby as a thank you gesture for the fans who followed them throughout the FA Cup run. The fare is just £10 for adults and £5 concessions, and the club is taking bookings at Saturday's home game with Esh Winning, and next Wednesday's League cup tie with Brandon.

The third round FA Vase ties involving the North-East clubs are: Wellington v Billingham Synthonia, Billingham Town v Lincoln Moorlands, Desborough v Guisborough, Jarrow Roofing v Eastwood Town, Morpeth v Colne, Warrington v West Allotment, Mossley v Whitley Bay, Leamington v Durham City, Oadby v Shildon. Games to be played on December 13.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: Division One: Bedlington v Chester-le-Street, Billingham Synthonia v Morpeth, Guisborough v West Auckland, Horden v Whitley Bay, Jarrow Roofing v Thornaby, Marske v Washington, Penrith v Durham City, Peterlee v Dunston, Shildon v Esh Winning, Tow Law v Brandon.

Division Two: Alnwick v Northallerton, Crook v Shotton, Easington v Newcastle Benfield Saints, Hebburn v Prudhoe, Kennek Ryhope CA v Consett, Newcastle Blue Star v Ashington, Seaham Red Star v Murton, South Shields v Evenwood, Whickham v Willington.