The programme has again been badly affected by the weather and last night five of the scheduled nine games were postponed.

The biggest casualty was the Durham Challenge Cup quarter- final between Birtley Town and Wolviston.

In the league, the matches at Cleadon SC, Darlington RA, Redcar Town and Stanley United all fell foul of the rain but four clubs are hopeful their games will go ahead.

North Shields are reasonably confident that their Ralph Gardner Park ground will be playable for the visit of Jarrow in a top versus bottom confrontation.

The Robins moved into pole position last weekend and have the same number of points as Stokesley SC following a ten-match unbeaten sequence. In contrast, Jarrow have taken just one point from 16 outings.

A boost to the chances of North Shields making it 11 games undefeated is the return of midfielder Anthony Robson, who has missed the last two fixtures. Martin Lamb has recovered from injury but a doubt surrounds the availability of Neil McCulloch.

Andy Elliott, who started the season with the Robins before moving to Bedlington Terriers, could make his home debut following his return, and also in line for inclusion in the starting XI is Michael Kelly, formerly with Seaton Delaval.

Stokesley SC's ground is playable providing conditions do not worsen today. Third-from-bottom Barnard Castle Glaxo are visitors and Stokesley, who now share the leadership with North Shields, have just one absentee in centre back Neil Southall.

New Marske's game with Harton and Westoe should go ahead and The Seasiders will choose from a full squad.

Annfield Plain go to Windscale without Gavin Slavin who has a knee injury.