Spennymoor last night appointed former Middlesbrough midfielder Jamie Pollock as their new manager.

Pollock returned to the North-East in the autumn after he left Crystal Palace and takes over at the Brewery Field from Tony Lee, who quit last weekend.

Club owner Benny Mottram said: "I made my mind up to do something after we were beaten at Dunston in midweek.

"That game was the last straw, because our supporters paid good money to watch us play badly.

"Appointing Jamie is a good move for Spennymoor because I see him as somebody who can take the club forward. He knows plenty of people in the game and I will support him in what he wants to do.

"It is up to the players who are at the club now to prove that they went to stay here."

Jason Ainsley, who has been in charge of Moors' last two matches, will remain as assistant.

Mottram revealed he spoke to Lee yesterday and said: "Tony and I have parted as the best of friends. I'm sure he'll get himself another club."

Striker Steve Preen is Moors' only doubt, with a hamstring injury.

Bishop Auckland, who are second from bottom, go to promotion-chasing Radcliffe Borough.

Manager Brian Honour said: "It will be a tough game, but no tougher than some of the games we've had in recent weeks. We've played teams who are looking at the play-offs or fighting against relegation."

Defender Brian Rowe will return after suspension. Bishops have only five away games left after today.

* Birtley Town will today make another attempt to stage their prestigious Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wolviston which has twice been postponed, writes Malcolm Pratt.

The Birtley pitch should be playable, but if not Durham FA have said the tie must be moved to Metcalfe Park.

Birtley manager Dave Smith expects to have a full squad at his disposal since his side has not played for five weeks. Wolviston secretary Keith Simpson reports that the only absentee will be Paul Griffiths, who has been suspended for four weeks.

In the league, leaders North Shields will be hoping to bounce back after last week's surprise defeat by Redcar Town which ended an 11-match unbeaten run during which they collected 29 points out of a possible 33.

The Robins host Whitehaven and, with second-top Stokesley SC on cup duty, will stay on top regardless.

Redcar were due to have home advantage in the North Riding County Cup but the game has been switched to Stokesley. A blow to Redcar is the loss of goalkeeper Peter Flear to Albany Northern League side Marske United. Richard English will deputise and captain Paul Parkes is also available.

With three of the four sides above them all on cup duty, Windscale will be out to improve their standing by beating Barnard Castle Glaxo but they could find it tough going against a side buoyed following last weeks's victory in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup. Glaxo are at full strength.

Boldon CA, now eighth after challenging for the leadership, hope to resurrect their season at Jarrow. Stephen Williams and Andrew Whalley are both banned which could leave the way open for recent signing Gary Fraser to make his first start.

Cleadon SC have made a good start to the year and at home to Ryhope CW have a full pool of players to choose from. Ryhope await late tests on Andrew Place and Paul Pybus and expect to give Andrew Mitchell and Stuart Wormleighton their debuts.

Stanley United go to New Marske hoping to play their first match in five weeks. Shaun Gregory, Darren Lamb and Chris Burn are all pencilled in.

Kevin Reay resumes for Darlington RA who visit Harton and Westoe. He has recovered from a hernia operation but absent are Martin Brown and Mark Radmore.erryhill manager Mark Fanning takes a full squad to Annfield Plain.