Consett striker Colin McLeod is all set to become the second player from the club in the space of a few weeks to reach the 500 appearance milestone.

Weather and injury permitting, McLeod, who signed for the First Division club in 1989 from Spennymoor, will play his 500th competitive game for them in their local derby against Tow Law tomorrow afternoon.

His manager, Colin Carr, said: "He's been a great servant to the club, just like Jeff Sugden who reached 500 last month.

"He's helped the club to some great moments .When we reached the first round of the Cup a few years ago, Colin scored the goal which beat Gateshead at the International Stadium, a result which nobody expected us to pull off, and earlier in the competition he scored the goal which knocked Bishop Auckland out.

"And he was also part of the team which beat Whitby in the 1997 League Cup final.

"In total since he signed for us in 1989, he's scored 232 goals - so to average a goal every couple of games is a great achievement. He doesn't show any signs of easing up, I'm pleased to say.

"In these days of players being accused of a lack of loyalty to their clubs, Colin and Jeff have been the exact opposite. I hope that they can keep playing a lot longer."

Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe is delighted with his new signing Damien Maw. Lindoe signed midfielder, Maw, from Chester-le-Street just in time for Saturday's home game with Peterlee, and he played a leading role as Brandon won 5-0.

"Damien fitted in well, and is the type of player we're looking for. He's very comfortable on the ball, and I'm sure that there's a lot more to come from him."

Seaham manager Neil Hixon thought his team played badly last Saturday, even though they scored seven at Whickham.

"I thought we played better when we won at Washington Nissan," said Hixon.

"We were able to pass the ball around there and play some good football, but we couldn't at Whickham because it was very sticky and blowing a bit of a gale.

"But we can't grumble too much at winning the points. If we keep on winning matches, then we can still be part of the promotion race."

Bedlington joint-manager Tony Lowery believes that the arrival of striker Roy Allen has given his side a huge lift. By their high standards, Bedlington have been stuttering in recent weeks, but Allen's arrival from West Auckland has seen him form an excellent understanding with John Milner.

Lowery said: "I wish we had him for the FA Vase. If he'd been playing, we might have won at Clitheroe. We've been having problems recently winning games, and sometimes the arrival of a player gives everybody a lift.

"Roy and John have hit it off straight away. Everything he's done in his first two matches has been good, he's fitted in perfectly."

Both Allen and Milner have scored 18 league goals this season, Allen scoring 15 of his for West Auckland. They are joint top of the league's leading scorers, two ahead of Jarrow's Paul Chow.

Shildon have arranged to play Newcastle Blue Star in a league game on Wednesday, December 18 (7.30pm). Their league game at Morpeth was postponed on Tuesday.

Billingham Synthonia have arranged to play Gateshead in their Durham Challenge Cup quarter final on Wednesday, January 8, at Central Avenue.

Because of Dunston's involvement with Whitley Bay in their FA Vase tie, their league cup tie against Esh Winning will have to be re-arranged.

Dunston are facing a fixture pile-up, because they are also involved in the Durham Challenge Cup, in which they are due to play Spennymoor on January, 7.

Meanwhile, Dunston centre half Steve Holmes will be missing for at least another month with a knee injury. Holmes has had a scan on his knee injury, and a specialist has told him that he can't train until at least the end of December.

Billingham Town have made a formal approach for former player Craig Perry who is now with Blyth Spartans. In recent weeks he has not been holding down a regular place however, Blyth's new boss, Paul Baker, is looking at all members of his squad, and might want to keep Perry for the time being. But if Town are successful, Perry's return would be handy for their next Vase game at Gorleston.

Washington's 18-year-old defender Ian Dodds is having a trial at Third Division Cambridge United.

Northern League clubs will have to get their maps out for the fourth round of the FA Vase, the last 32 of the competition.

One team through is Billingham Town, who go to Gorleston in Suffolk. They play in the Jewson Eastern League, and are currently below midtable.

On paper, Town could have had worse to play from that league, whose leaders AFC Sudbury make the trip to Durham City.

City and Sudbury both lost in the semi final last year, City were beaten by their ANL colleagues Whitley Bay, while Sudbury were surprisingly beaten by Tiptree.

Northallerton have a tough home tie against Burgess Hill Town, who have been one of the strongest teams in the Sussex County League, winning the title four times in the last six seasons.

Whitley Bay, who won 2-0 at Dunston in midweek, go to Wootton Blue Cross from Bedfordshire.

Full draw: Lymington & New Milton v Mossley, Newcastle Town or Harrogate Railway v Winchester City, Northallerton Town v Burgess Hill Town, Wroxham v Prescot Cables, Ware v Clitheroe, Oadby Town or Mickleover Sports v Bideford, Wootton Blue Cross v Whitley Bay, Maldon Town v Morpeth Town or Willenhall Town, Gorleston v Billingham Town, Durham City v AFC Sudbury, Devizes Town or Bitton v Christchurch, Bridlington Town v Arundel, Withdean 2000 v Diss Town, Lowestoft Town v Buckingham Town, Brigg Town v Fleetwood Town, Pickering Town or Causeway United v St Blazey.

The third round tie between Pickering and Causeway United is being staged again this Saturday, because the first game was abandoned when the referee picked up an ankle injury and was unable to continue. Pickering found another match official, but Causeway officials refused to accept him.

The issue of travel costs has been raised by one club official. Clubs are allowed to claim an overnight stay and travel costs from the gate receipts, but there have been many occasions in the past when high costs and a low attendance has meant that clubs have had to split a financial loss on the tie.

However, it is understood that the FA subsidises clubs in some cases, and they may step in with financial help if requested. Dunston were given financial aid by the FA when they played at St Blazey in Cornwall three seasons ago.

There is some prize money for winners of each round, but nothing on the same scale as the four figures on offer to the winners of the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup.

Tomorrow's fixtures - FA Vase third round: Morpeth v Willenhall (winners away to Maldon).

Division One: Billingham Town v West Auckland, Consett v Tow Law, Dunston v Guisborough, Durham City v Shildon, Esh Winning v Billingham Synthonia, Marske v Chester-le-Street, Newcastle Blue Star v Prudhoe, Peterlee v Jarrow Roofing, Washington v Brandon.

Division Two: Alnwick v Norton, Crook v South Shields, Eppleton v Washington Nissan, Hebburn v Easington, Kennek Ryhope CA v Ashington, Penrith v Evenwood, Seaham Red Star v Shotton, Thornaby v Murton, Whickham v Horden, Willington v Northallerton.