Willington chairman John Phelan has nothing but praise for manager Alan Shoulder and his playing staff even though they are bottom of the Second Division.

Willington are facing relegation to the Wearside League at the end of the season, but the revival has got under way in recent weeks, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Phelan, who took over as chairman last year, said: "Many of the players have been very committed over the last few months," he said.

"They have taken some terrible physical and mental blows, such as heavy defeats.

"But they keep bouncing back, and trying their hardest, which is very heartening to see.

"I just hope they get their rewards, and get away from the bottom of the league.

"Alan Shoulder is amazing. He came on as a sub at Northallerton last Saturday, played at the back, and threw himself into challenges. He was a real credit to himself, the team, and the club. He showed a magnificent attitude."

Phelan himself admits that he has come under criticism. "I've had my critics, but I'm not going to hold any grudges. Football clubs are about supporters, and I want to try and see the job through for them. At least when it comes to the AGM, then I won't have to write a report for the PLC!"

Meanwhile, off the field, the club has received grants from the Football Stadia Improvement fund and Wear Valley Council for ground improvements at Hall Lane.

Chester-le-Street defender Colin Wake made his 350th appearance against Bedlington last Saturday, by far a record for the club, his nearest rival being former keeper Lennie French now with Esh Winning.

Wake joined the club at the start of 1995 - 96 season with a debut against Tow Law, and has missed only 18 games since he joined the club being ever present in five of the past six seasons and is on course for another ever present this season.

Joe Burlison, Chester-le-Street's general manager said:" Colin has been a credit to the club since he joined us, his performances over the last six seasons have been exceptional and we feel honoured to have him as club captain. His performance is not just on the field for the senior team but also assisting with training of our under-18s when needed."

Chester-le-Street town will be holding their Annual Sportsmans Dinner at the Civic Centre, Chester-le-Street on Friday, May 23.

Guest speaker will be Kenny Burns the former Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City and Scotland defender. Tickets are priced at £25 and tables can be arranged to suit requirements. Details are available from Joe Burlison on 07720 522435.

The Northern League, as expected, have extended the season to May 3. The league season was due to finish on April 26, but some clubs have had several postponements, and the league has now decided to extend the season by at least a week.

And it could mean that the destiny of the Second Division title might not be decided until the final day.

Thornaby are due to play Penrith that day, and going by the current form of the pair, then that game might just be a title decider.

Tow Law manager Graeme Forster is delighted with the form of midfielder Scott Nicholson.

Nicholson has emerged as the club's second top scorer behind the injured Andy McKenna, and Forster said: "He's scored 12 goals in the league this season and he's amongst the leading scorers in the league, which isn't bad considering that he's a midfield player.

"He's done really well for us, and even though he missed a penalty last week against Brandon, he'll still be taking them for us. He showed that missing a penalty doesn't affect by scoring twice for us against Marske in midweek."

Shildon manager Ray Gowan thought that his side's performance against Morpeth last Saturday was their best of the season.

Shildon scored twice early in the game to set up a 3-1 win, and Gowan said: "Some of the football we played was excellent, especially in the first half.

"We can still finish in the top four, although we've got some work to do.

"If we keep playing like that, then we've got every chance."

Shildon are playing Morpeth again this Tuesday at Dean Street, in the quarter finals of the league cup.

Durham City are going to be without leading scorer Micky Dunwell for the rest of the season.

Dunwell picked up a knee injury in the defeat at Marske last week, and it is bad enough for the former Hartlepool player to be missing for several weeks.

Dunwell is the latest injury at the Archibalds Stadium, and the injury crisis has got so bad that second choice keeper Paul Newton has played as a sub striker in the games against Marske and Washington.

Former Darlington player Phil Brumwell had a mixed debut last week for West Auckland against Peterlee.

Brumwell was signed from Blyth just before kick off and scored in the first half. But he was red-carded in the second period for deliberate handball on the West line.

Horden have signed former Hartlepool defender Andy Davies from First Division Easington.

He is the second player they have signed from their neighbours this season following Lee Dixon who made the short journey before Christmas.

Horden, meanwhile, have placed striker Craig Lines on the transfer list at his own request. Lines has found himself further down the pecking order since the arrival of John Outhwaite from Guisborough a fortnight ago.

Marske United defender Micky Ward has turned down a move to Bedlington.

The champions, who are without Phil Hildreth because of injury, spoke to the player a fortnight ago, but Ward has told them that he's happy at Mount Pleasant.

Marske have confirmed that manager Micky Hodgson will remain in charge of the team.

There has been speculation that Hodgson was going to replaced by David Tate, but club secretary Ian Rowe said: "Micky and his assistant Peter Bell will be stopping on next season.

"There has been some unease in the dressing room about the position, so we had a meeting and cleared the air."

Tate has been appointed as coach with immediate effect.

The final of the League cup will be held at Feethams on Monday, May 5, with an 11am kick off.

Revised League Cup draw: Billingham Synthonia v Bedlington, Marske v Tow Law, Seaham Red Star v Brandon, Shildon v Morpeth Games to be played next week.

South Shields youngster Craig Tait scored a golden goal to give South Shields a 4-3 home win over Thornaby, after they trailed 3-2 with a minute left of normal time.

Two goals from Paul Taylor helped Seaham to victory at Alnwick.

Outstanding Craven Cup ties: Ashington v Penrith, Evenwood v Willington.

Jarrow Roofing striker Paul Chow is still one goal clear at the top of the scoring charts. Chow took his tally for the season in the league to 28 with one of the goals in his side's 2-0 home win over Consett in midweek, a result which didn't help Consett's survival hopes at all.

Bedlington pair Roy Allen and John Milner are just behind him after they scored a goal apiece in the 3-1 home win over Peterlee.

Prudhoe are still just above the relegation zone after they lost 3-0 at home to Billingham Town, for whom Graeme Baverstock scored after 19 and 89 minutes. David Turner scored the other.

Tow Law's Scott Nicholson scored both goals in their 2-1 home win over Marske, after 19 and 85 minutes, Brian Combellack replied for Marske in the last minute.

Paul Beavers scored the winner for Morpeth against Dunston.

Chester-le-Street and Esh Winning drew 1-1, John Heggarty putting Chester into the lead after 71 minutes, with Steve Burns levelling two minutes later.

Brandon were knocked off the top for 24 hours by Bedlington's win, but they bounced back on Wednesday when they beat Durham City 1-0, thanks to a goal from Damien Maw.

Shildon easily beat bottom club Newcastle Blue Star 4-0