Former Sunderland player Steve Agnew has agreed to join West Auckland on a permanent basis.

Midfielder Agnew signed for West just in time for last Saturday's Vase defeat at Prescot Cables, after quitting UniBond League club Gateshead last month.

West manager Alan Oliver said: "Steve has come here to enjoy himself. He only wants to play, and not get involved in the coaching side of things.

"He had a great game. He didn't give the ball away, and he always looked comfortable. Anyway he'll have to stay with us now - he's got our last club tracksuit."

Oliver thinks that Prescot might cause problems for Northern League clubs later in the Vase. "They were very sharp up front, and every player looked comfortable."

Jarrow Roofing boss Richie McLoughlin is delighted with his strikeforce of Paul Chow and Craig Nelson.

The pair scored all three of their side's goals between them when they won at Prudhoe and McLoughlin said: "They are working really well together. We've scored 40 goals this season, and between them they've scored 35."

Meanwhile, McLoughlin has been instructed to appear in front of the league to face a misconduct charge. He has already been warned as to his future conduct by Durham FA.

Latest performance of the week awards: October 5 - Evenwood Town for a 2-1 win at Easington, October 12 - Easington for a 3-1 win at Ashington, October 19 - Northallerton for winning 1-0 at Garforth in the FA Vase, October 26 - Murton for a 5-4 win against Chester-le-Street in the Durham Challenge Cup

The Northern League has agreed to release Michael Fenwick from his registration at Whitley Bay following a recent management meeting. Fenwick was part of the Whitley squad which reached the final of the FA Vase last season.

Durham City have reported full back Craig Lake for misconduct to the Northern League, who have ruled that his registration should be held by Durham.

Chester-le-Street players Lee Compton and Steve Leadbitter have been suspended for failing to reply to correspondence after being reported by the club for misconduct.

Second Division clubs have been told they must reach certain ground criteria before they will be promoted.

There are several criteria, but the main rules cover the provision for spectators. The league requires that there must be at least 150 seats under cover and another 200 under cover. There must also be a minimum of 150 yards of terracing.

Billingham Town are heading into unknown territory in the next round of the FA Vase.

Allan Robinson hadn't heard of Grosvenor Park when the draw, which was done on a North and south basis, for the third round was made. Robinson admitted: "We're going completely into the unknown with this one. We don't know a thing about them."

Grosvenor Park are based near Birmingham and are seventh in the Midland Alliance, the same league as Willenhall who must go to Morpeth.

Northallerton meet Shirebrook, who are based in Mansfield and currently in second place in the NCEL First Division. Durham's opponents Gedling play in the same division. The two teams met five years ago, Durham coming out on top.

Billingham Synthonia manager Stuart Coleby feels his side is lacking in experience after they were beaten 1-0 by Whitley Bay in the second round of the FA Vase.

Holders Whitley Bay secured an away tie at Dunstn thanks to Ian Chandler's goal and Coleby admitted: "The team is improving all the time, but we lack a little bit leadership."

Horden boss Tommy Garside has told his players they mustn't get carried away by their recent form.

Horden nearly sprang a major shock last Saturday when they led much-fancied Brigg until six minutes from the end of their second round Vase tie, only to conceded two goals in the closing stages.

"I've told the players they must keep their feet on the ground because there is still a lot of hard work to be done," he said.

"We're still looking to improve the squad, and the chairman has said that he will back me."

Tow Law defender Jeff Hall is facing a spell on the sidelines after dislocating his collar bone in the FA Vase defeat at Dunston. Hall will be added to a list of injuries which has dogged the team selection of manager Graeme Forster in recent weeks.

Durham City again try out Friday night football with a home game against Esh Winning tonight. Durham have played twice on Friday nights this season, beating West Auckland 3-2 and Newcastle Blue Star 5-0.

City will probably be without central defender Dickie Ord because of a groin injury.

Marske and Billingham Town were hoping to play their league game tonight,but instead the game will go ahead tomorrow as planned.

Murton pulled off a big shock in the Durham Challenge Cup by beating Tow Law 2-0 at the Welfare Ground.

John Guy put Murton in the lead with a 25-yarder, then Alan Lamb headed the second with a header after 20 minutes.

Willington only had the bare 11 at home to Horden, and were soon down to ten following an injury to keeper Mark Adamson, so striker Brett Cummings went in goal. Willington kept Horden at bay until the last half hour when the visitors scored five times.

The tie between Jarrow Roofing and Dunston was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, and will probably be re-arranged next week.

Washington lost 3-1 at home to Gateshead, even though they took a second minute lead through Ben Chambers.

The revised draw for the third round of the FA Vase is: Grosvenor Park v Billingham Town, Dunston v Whitley Bay, Sheffield or Guisborough v Mossley, Northallerton v Shirebrook, Durham City v Gedling, Morpeth v Willenhall.

The draw was split between north and south, with 16 ties in each area.

Guisborough's FA Vase tie at Sheffield was postponed on Tuesday night for the second time because of a waterlogged pitch, and has been re-arranged for next Tuesday night.

The updated draw for the second round of the Northern League Cup: Peterlee or Prudhoe v Seaham Red Star or Alnwick, Tow Law v Penrith, Billingham Synthonia v Consett, Dunston or Esh Winning v Bedlington, Marske v Murton or Newcastle Blue Star, Brandon v Horden, Morpeth or Shotton v Evenwood or Ashington, Shildon v Whitley Bay.

Newcastle Blue Star's home game with Chester-le-Street tomorrow has had to be switched because the roof of the Blue Star changing rooms has been was damaged.

The midweek games at Easington and Shotton were postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

Thornaby's Craven Cup tie with Eppleton was postponed because of Thornaby's FA Vase commitments, and has been re-arranged for Tuesday, December 3.

Tomorrow's fixtures - Albany Northern League Division One: Bedlington v Prudhoe, Chester-le-Street v Newcastle Blue Star, Consett v West Auckland, Dunston v Shildon, Jarrow Roofing v Brandon, Marske v Billingham Town, Morpeth v Guisborough, Peterlee v Tow Law, Whitley Bay v Washington

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

Durham Challenge Cup (1.30pm): Boldon CA v Billingham Synthonia, Wolviston v Whickham