Bishop Auckland have been given a list of tasks to complete on their ground before the UniBond League will allow them to take promotion at the end of the season.

The league inspectors paid a two hour visit to their Dean Street ground on Sunday morning, and have presented a list of tasks which must be completed before April 1.

And with the move to a new ground at Tindale Crescent by next season looking unlikely, Bishops know they have to carry out the required work at Dean Street in order to progress.

Vice-chairman Tony Duffy said: "The ground inspectors were very thorough, and looked at all aspects of the ground. They have made it clear that unless we achieve an A grade, then we won't be promoted to the First Division."

The main jobs Bishops have to do are; repair the perimeter fence around the pitch, provide an extra step in the covered standing area in order to increase stand capacity to 600, extend the referee's room, provide an outside toilet block with facilities, provide a protected walkway for players and officials, and improve wheelchair facilities.

Of those jobs, the referee's room could be the most tricky, because that is situated between the two players' changing rooms. Regardless of the condition of the ground, Bishops must finish in the top 13 before being considered for promotion.

On the pitch, manager Brian Honour has a goalkeeping problem ahead of tomorrow's game at Prescot Cables, as Kevin Duncan has a hamstring injury.

He missed the game at Murton in midweek, so Brian Rowe played between the sticks and saved a penalty before going on to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.

Spennymoor manager Tony Lee admits his team building may have to wait. They have been pushed down the table by three successive home defeats, the latest being a 6-0 drubbing by Gainsborough last Saturday.

"It's obvious that we need new players," said Lee. "For the time being, it's going to be difficult to turn things round, because it's the wrong time of year to be looking for players. The pro clubs aren't releasing many, while others are tied to their clubs in the UniBond League and Northern League."

Moors regained some confidence by winning 4-0 at Washington in the Durham Challenge cup on Wednesday night.

Gateshead chairman Mike Coulson is to quit because of work commitments. He will stay on until a successor is appointed.

Midweek results: League Cup: Hyde 0 Altrincham 1, Ashton 1 Leek 1 (Ashton won 6-5 on penalties), Bamber Bridge 1 Lancaster 2, Burscough 5 Colwyn Bay 0, Guiseley 4 Wakefield and Emley 1, Lincoln United 2 Gainsborough 1, Marine 2 Runcorn 0, Ossett Town 3 Farsley 1, Rossendale 4 Farsley 1, Stocksbridge 1 Frickley 3, Kidsgrove 0 Matlock 2.

First Division: Witton Albion 3 Chorley 1

Tomorrow's fixtures: FA Cup fourth qualifying round: Blyth v Chester City, Bromsgrove v Whitby

Premier Division: Altrincham v Burscough, Barrow v Harrogate Town, Droylsden v Hucknall, Frickley v Southport, Radcliffe Borough v Alfreton, Spennymoor v Vauxhall Motors, Worksop v Marine.

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