Bishop Auckland have released full-back Craig Lake after three months at the club.

Lake joined Bishops from Durham City in September, but the former Middlesbrough player has failed to find top form and he left the club by "mutual agreement" earlier in the week.

Honour signed youngsters John Alexander and Martin Smith on loan from Darlington before Tuesday's 5-0 defeat at Spennymoor in the President's Cup, and is hoping to sign three more before next Saturday's game against Eastwood Town.

"We gifted Spennymoor four goals," said Honour.

Spennymoor's fixtures are piling up, and their win on Tuesday guarantees them another cup tie, probably in the middle of January. If the weather intervenes, then they could be looking at the possibility of three games a week later in the season.

Meanwhile, manager Tony Lee is looking for goalkeeping cover while Adrian Swan sits out a one match ban following his red card at Radcliffe last week.

Moors and Bishops have agreed to kick-off their Boxing Day clash at 11am instead of 3pm.

Whitby Town are mourning the death of popular ex groundsman Ernie Atkinson. Ernie won the Northern League's Groundsman of the Year award four times during his 20 years as groundsman before ill health forced him to retire in 1998. He was also a committee man for 50 years, joining in 1947.

A minute's silence was held before Saturday's home game with Stalybridge, and Ernie's ashes will be buried next to the pitch before Boxing Day's game with Accrington Stanley.

Tomorrow's fixtures - Premier Division: Accrington Stanley v Bradford PA, Blyth v Ashton United, Colwyn Bay v Wakefield and Emley, Droylsden v Burscough, Frickley v Hyde, Harrogate Town v Runcorn, Lancaster v Gainsborough, Marine v Whitby, Stalybridge v Altrincham, Vauxhall Motors v Gateshead.

First Division: Bamber Bridge v Lincoln United, Belper v Kendal, Bishop Auckland v Leek Town, Eastwood Town v Chorley, Farsley Celtic v Matlock, Guiseley v Kidsgrove, North Ferriby v Alfreton, Ossett Town v Radcliffe Borough, Rossendale v Spennymoor, Stocksbridge v Witton Albion, Workington v Trafford.