Birtley Town or Wolviston will fly the flag for the league in the semi-finals of the prestigious Durham Challenge Cup.

The pair have been drawn against each other and the quarter-final tie will go ahead at Birtley on Saturday, January 4.

"Wolviston are a good side and we only beat them 1-0 in the league.

We have home advantage which we hope to make count, but regardless of whether it is Wolviston or ourselves it is good that the league will have a club in the draw for the semi-finals," said Birtley manager Dave Smith.

Birtley defeated Bishop Auckland in the last round, but since then Smith reckons his team have not performed to full potential.

"We only managed a 1-1 draw with Stanley United and when they equalised on 85 minutes, we had to hang on.

Although we finished 5-1 ahead of Redcar Town last week, they played virtually the entire 90 minutes with only nine men, yet they led us at the halfway stage.

"Although it is nice to do well in the cups - and we are still involved in four competitions - the league is our bread and butter and I would rather have three points from every game than make progress in the cup if I had a choice to make," declared Smith.

Birtley could be looking to strengthen their squad in the New Year. Smith is worried at a possible build up of fixtures having had four games called off already.

"Whitehaven were unable to travel. We have twice had fixtures cancelled at Redcar Town and one match called off at New Marske.

"We always struggle to field representative sides for midweek games and there is no doubt, the way things are going, that we will be playing three matches a week come the end of the season.

"I have a healthy pool of players, but I would like to add at least a couple just to give us added strength in depth," said Smith.

Boldon CA manager, Norman Hunter, is hoping that his luck will change in the New Year.

His team made a hugely impressive start to the campaign, but they have lost their last six league and cup fixtures. Nevertheless, Boldon are still fifth from top equal on points with Wolviston.