Five Northern League clubs look set to have points deducted for fielding ineligible players.

West Auckland, Whitley Bay, Esh Winning and Billingham Town from the First Division, and Alnwick from the Second, were all due in front of the league management committee last night after allegedly fielding players who are registered with other clubs.

The league has considered stopping day of match registrations to avoid clubs falling into the trap, but club officials have pointed out that they need emergency signings on the day.

In their defence, some of the clubs who played ineligible players checked availability on the league's retained list - as well as checking with the players concerned - and were convinced that he wasn't registered with another club.

It looks as if the league's advice will be to check with Steve Rock, the league's registration secretary, if there is any doubt.

Trafford keeper Paul Burke, who was criticised by league chairman Mike Amos and several other spectators for his use of foul language at the Horden v Trafford FA Cup tie last month, has been sacked by the Manchester club. It is understood that there have been several confrontations with opposing fans.

Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle had to put on his boots at Northallerton last week because of a shortage of players.

Liddle, a full back in his professional days at Darlington, did well as his side won 2-1.

Durham City have appointed former Sunderland defender Dickie Ord and striker John Moore as player-coaches to help recently-appointed manager Billy Cruddas.

The trio have done well as a management team, going unbeaten in their first four matches.

Durham are eagerly looking forward to their FA Cup third qualifying round tie against Blyth next week. Treasurer Ernie Duncan said: "We feel that we have a good chance, especially at our place."

There are big rewards for teams winning at this stage of the competition, with the winners picking up £10,000 in prize money. Durham have already picked up £16,000 for their wins over Evenwood, Worsbrough Bridge and Peterlee.

Dunston assistant manager Perry Briggs called their win over Burscough in the FA Cup last week "easily the best of the season."

Goals from Paul Hogg and Lee Adamson gave Dunston a place in the next round, and Briggs said: "It could so easily have been four or five, because we played some excellent football and had two good penalty appeals turned down. Burscough were very disappointing, but you can't take that away from us. We hope it kick starts our season."

Burscough, who are managed by former Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale, have only conceded two goals in the UniBond League this season.

Billingham Town manager Allan Robinson is also hoping that his side can use their FA Cup experience at Accrington Stanley as a platform for success this season.

Town, going well in the First Division, lost 2-0 but Robinson thinks that his side gave a good account of themselves. "The players did themselves proud," he said. "We created some really good chances, but didn't take them. Accrington created the same number as us, and took two of them." Some consolation for Town will be a share of the gate receipts from a crowd of 737.

Tow Law manager Graeme Forster is still annoyed about his side's lack of determination in their 7-3 defeat at Hyde United in the FA cup last week. Forster was furious with some of his players, and he blasted: "There will be changes after that. It was the worst I've ever seen us defend. Everything Hyde touched seemed to go in, and our defenders were nowhere. There was a spell in the first half ,when they weren't anywhere near the ball.

"When I was at Evenwood, we lost heavily at Netherfield, but there was a good excuse then, as there weren't very many resources. That's not the case at Tow Law. Some players brought shame to the Tow Law shirt." Lawyers are without a Northern League game this Saturday, and instead are in Durham Challenge Cup action at Wearside League club Cleadon.

Jarrow Roofing midfielder Craig Nelson has turned down approaches from three UniBond League clubs. Nelson, who has been at Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, has scored five goals this season in league and cup. Manager Richie McLoughlin said: "Brian is quite happy with us, and has turned down offers from Spennymoor, Whitby and Blyth. He's with his mates here, and doesn't fancy the travelling."

Newcastle Blue Star and Whitley Bay have brought their game forward from tomorrow to tonight at the Wheatsheaf. The club is trying to encourage clubs to play games on Friday nights, with Durham City reporting a good crowd for their home game with West Auckland last month. Washington Nissan have been boosted by the return of young defender Michael Heckley from Spennymoor. Heckley left Nissan a few weeks into the season for the UniBond League club, but he only made one substitute appearance during his stay at the Brewery Field.

Guisborough have signed striker Ben Walker from Billingham Synthonia, but he was unable to play in last weekend's FA Cup tie with Guiseley.

Prudhoe manager Steve Smith has told his players to tighten up in defence. Smith believes his team was nave as they lost at Shildon last week, and said: "The players must be alert, especially at free-kicks. We conceded the winner when they were too busy arguing with the referee over whether the free-kick should have been taken or not. The same thing happened at Liversedge in the Vase. We must stamp our authority on the game." Smith, meanwhile, has signed Rob Livermore from Whitley Bay, but he could be without defender Andy Armstrong for several weeks because of an Achilles problem.

In the midweek league games, Bedlington won 3-2 at Billingham Town, mainly thanks to a burst of two goals inside a minute from Andy Fletcher and John Milner. Andy Burton pulled a goal back, but Fletcher soon made it 3-1, with Mark Scott scoring a late consolation. Youngster Andy Brown scored twice for Marske in their 5-1 home win over Peterlee, Lee Alexander also getting on the scoresheet.

The second round draw of the Durham Challenge Cup is to be made live on BBC Radio Cleveland at around 5.30pm tomorrow.

West Auckland lost 1-0 to Sunderland Reserves on Monday night, Mark Rossiter scoring the only goal after 55 minutes with a left wing cross which deceived West keeper Simon Hall and went in off the post.

Roy Allen had a shot cleared off the line later in the game. Billingham Synthonia striker Tony Wood must enjoy playing against Shildon. Only a month ago, he scored twice when Synners won 4-0 at Dean Street in a league game and in midweek he followed that up by scoring a golden goal to complete his hat-trick against them in the Durham Challenge Cup. Wood scored twice to put Synners 2-0 up, but then Danny Richmond and Nigel Bolton pulled Shildon level by the 82nd minute before Wood scored the winner eight minutes into extra time. Spennymoor just got the better of Norton by 6-4 at the Brewery Field. Norton bounced back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw level, thanks to a hat-trick from Anthony Parker, but they couldn't come back from 6-3 down. Steve Kidman scored a late goal for Norton. Durham City easily won their tie, 4-0 at Seaham Red Star, with Micky Dunwell (2), Keith Douglas and Stuart Brightwell the scorers. Consett left it late to beat Harton and Westoe 2-0 with late goals from Colin McLeod and Chris Hodgson, while Washington scored four times in the second half to defeat Shotton 4-1. Shotton took the lead through Ernie Routledge, but Scott Oliver, Ben Chambers (2) and Keith Oliver scored for Washington. Whickham beat Washington Nissan 2-1 with goals from Tommy Scott and Danny Hall. Gary Messer scored four for Esh Winning in their 7-0 demolition of Darlington RA.

Chester-le-Street went out of the FA Cup, going down 7-2 at Harrogate RA, even though they led 2-0 at one stage, and were still level 2-2 going into extra time.

Guisborough are also out after they lost 1-0 to a second-half goal at Guiseley. The results mean that only two Northern League clubs are definitely through - Durham and Dunston.

* The draw as it affects North-East clubs is: Durham v Blyth, Dunston v Marine, Droylsden v Spennymoor. Ties to be played next Saturday.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

Division One: Bedlington v Durham City, Billingham Synthonia v Prudhoe, Chester-le-Street v Brandon, Esh Winning v Washington, Guisborough v Consett, Morpeth v Marske, Peterlee v Billingham Town, Shildon v Jarrow Roofing, West Auckland v Dunston Division Two: Easington v Evenwood, Hebburn v Whickham, Horden v Ashington, Norton v Shotton, Penrith v Alnwick, Seaham Red Star v Northallerton, Thornaby v Willington, Washington Nissan v South Shields Durham Challenge cup Annfield Plain v Murton, Boldon CA v Kennek Ryhope CA, South Shields v Tow Law, Stanley v Eppleton,

First Division leading scorers (league only): Andy McKenna (Tow Law) 10, Andy Fletcher (Bedlington) 9 Paul Chow (Jarrow Roofing) 8, John Milner (Bedlington) 7, Micky Dunwell (Durham City) 6, Carl Chillingsworth (Billingham Town) 6, Tony Wood (Billingham Synthonia) 6 ,Steve Huggins (Brandon) 5, Paul Beavers (Morpeth) 5, Craig Nelson (Jarrow Roofing) 5, Roy Allen (West Auckland ) 5, Micky Ward (Marske) 4, Andy Hay (Whitley Bay) 4, Lee Alexander (Marske ) 4, Steve Burns (Esh Winning) 4

Second Division: Tommy Scott (Whickham) 7, Adam Johnston (Washington Nissan) 7 Adrian Winder (Murton) 5, Kevin Hay (Whickham) 5, Chris Joyce (Hebburn ) 5, Chris Taylor (Willington) 5, Lee Dixon (Easington) 4, Andrew Wilson (South Shields ) 4, Jamie Clark (Thornaby) 4.