It is top against bottom on the final day of the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League season - but champions-elect Guisborough will take nothing for granted against Thornaby at Fountains Garth.

They are just one win away from clinching a third successive title and everything points to a night of celebration tonight.

Chairman Dave Norminton is quietly confident of finishing the season on a high.

"We have had another excellent year and once again we are unchanged. It is a long time since the side has had to be altered, which says much for the commitment of the players,'' he said.

"We always attempt to play positive cricket and we will not change our strategy today. On paper, we are odds-on favourites but we know from experience that the under-dogs sometimes have their day, so we will all have to be at our best."

Guisborough lead Saltburn by a single point. "I suppose that if at the start of the season we were offered the chance to start our last game one point in front, then we would have settled for that, so we have got to be pleased. After all, the destination of the championship is in our own hands," added Norminton.

Saltburn all but closed the gap on their rivals when they gained maximum points last weekend when Guisborough's match was abandoned because of the weather.

"We have played really well all season and it is a fact we have lost just two games while Guisborough have suffered defeat on three occasions.

"The weather was kind to us last Saturday but earlier in the season Guisborough took 40 points from a double programme when we managed just 12 as the rain intervened," said Saltburn's John Bond.

"I suppose it's swings and roundabouts and if our name is on the trophy then so be it."

Saltburn are at full strength for their local derby with Marske.

Although four sides could finish champions of Division One, Wolviston and Great Ayton are ahead.

Both have two matches left and Wolviston play their penultimate match of the season at home to Seaton Carew, who are in fourth position, tomorrow. Seaton are 31 points adrift of Wolviston but have a game in hand on their rivals.

Wolviston have Mark O'Neill taking over from Mark Wright and Jeff Bluckert is unavailable, as they aim to finish top and make an early return to the Premier Division.

Captain Richard Clayton is unlikely to play again this season after injuring his hand and Richie Evans will captain Seaton in their double at home to Redcar today and at Wolviston tomorrow.

"We are geared to playing in the Premier Division but I suppose we are now outsiders and clearly have to win both games this weekend to stand a chance of going up," claimed Clayton, who reports that Dave Alsop and Andy Watt are also missing.

Great Ayton are second ahead of their match at Middlesbrough. Captain Dave Pennock, who spent 19 years at Guisborough before returning three years ago, reports that Ayton would love to play in the top flight.

He said: "It's tight, but if we win our last couple of matches we will be in with a chance and I believe we would be good enough to hold our own in the top flight."

Ayton, who tomorrow visit Skelton Castle in the final of the Collingwood Cup, have a doubt surrounding David Grainge at Acklam Park but Colin Murray is expected to play.

Billingham Synthonia, third from top, play their last game of the season at Marske this afternoon. They are eight points behind leaders Wolviston.

With just ten points separating four sides, it is all to play for in The Readers Durham County League on the final day of the season.

Evenwood are favourites - they are five points in front of Willington going into their game at Mainsforth and Chris Peareth returns to a full-strength side.

"The outcome is in our own hands and it's simple - if we win we will retain the championship," said captain Craig Rutherford.

Willington can only hope that Mainsforth do them a good turn by beating Evenwood and that they come out on top in their crucial game at Kimblesworth, who also have their eyes on the title.

"We need to win and for Evenwood to get beaten. No other result will be to our advantage and it is obviously a tall order since we have a difficult task against Kimblesworth," claimed Willington secretary Steve Barker.

Despite being joint third and 10 points behind Evenwood, Kimblesworth have not given up hope.

Tudhoe, on the same number of points as Kimblesworth, complete their programme at home to Brandon and they could end top.

"I haven't seen a finish like this for several seasons and by tonight, one of the four sides is going to pinch the crown," claimed Bartle.

There are still two games to play in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League and ahead of their penultimate game at home to Lintz, Lanchester are 51 points in front of Tynedale providing they win their appeal against having 20 docked by the league last week.

In another twist, third-placed Newcastle City would be equal on points with second-top Tynedale if they have a tem-point penalty reinstated.

In a worse-case scenario, Lanchester would be 31 points in front of their rivals needing just ten from a possible 40.

"We are very annoyed at having our points total reduced by 20 since the incident involved our second team game with Percy Main II in July," said Lanchester fixture secretary Bob Gardiner. "The League reduced the second team points total by 60 but I do not see why the senior team should suffer."