Durham City manager Brian Honour has defended his decision to transfer last season's leading scorer Lee Ludlow to Whitley Bay.

Honour has been criticised by some fans for allowing Ludlow to leave after scoring 40 goals last season, but Honour said: "I wanted him to stay, but I couldn't guarantee him a first team place in every game.

"He asked for a transfer on three occasions, and then last Saturday when I told him that he was playing at Evenwood in the FA cup, he told me that he didn't want to play, because he didn't want to be Cup-tied.

"As a manager, I cannot guarantee anybody a first team place. It would be unfair to keep somebody in the team because I have guaranteed them a place.

"Some people are asking how I can let Lee go - but he didn't want to play for the club any more."

Ironically, Ludlow's new club, Whitley Bay, are now out of the FA Cup after they lost to a last minute goal at Harrogate RA on Monday night in their preliminary round replay.

Meanwhile, Honour is preparing his team for tonight's home game with West Auckland. Defender Dickie Ord and keeper Marc Riches are suspended, while midfielder Gavin Mudd has a hamstring injury.

West Auckland, who unlike Durham didn't play in midweek, are without Ray Stanger, Michael Carter and Phil Maguire.

Ludlow's arrival at Whitley Bay has meant that striker Steve Cuggy has left for Chester-le-Street, and he made his debut in the midweek goalless draw with Shildon.

Northern League clubs could be hit by the proposed transfer window. While the spotlight of the latest idea from FIFA has fallen on the Premiership and Nationwide Leagues, there are fears that clubs as far down the pyramid as the Northern League might also have to adhere to the window, although it doesn't look likely this season.

FA chief Adam Crozier has told Conference clubs to carry on as they are for the time being until FIFA sort out the situation, and that line is being followed by other leagues.

FA councillor Mike Armitage has also made enquiries, and he has been told the same.

Should a window come into effect, then it will have severe repercussions on the Northern League. The practice of most clubs if they have a midweek game and players are struggling for time off work, is to sign players from other leagues to bolster their squads, with the seven day rule sometimes being waived.

Division Two clubs Murton and Alnwick could find themselves in hot water as the pair, along with Marske United from the First Division, were instructed to pay outstanding debts to the league by last Monday, but still haven't done so.

Marske have paid up, but there is the real possibility that Murton and Alnwick could be banned from playing until they stump up.

Alnwick have told the league that the cheque is in the post, but league secretary Tony Golightly said: "I've told them that they must pay by today - or else."

Tow Law have submitted seven days notice of approach for Bishop Auckland striker Wayne Edgcumbe.

Former Newcastle star Kevin Scott, who made a name for himself in the pro game as a defender, is now playing in midfield at Crook Town.

So far he's done well, setting up one of the goals for Andy Burgess in the 2-1 win at Alnwick in the FA Cup last Saturday, and then scored Crook's goal in the 1-1 draw with Ashington in midweek.

Easington have signed a sponsorship deal with Bishop Auckland-based company City Centre Training, and will display their new sponsorship in their Vase tie against Warrington tomorrow.

"It's the first time in over two years that we've had a sponsor," said Easington secretary Alan Purvis.

Brandon striker Andy Purvis is off on his travels again - to Sweden.

Purvis has just completed a round-the-world tour which took almost a year, and he returned to the North-East last week.

But he will be leaving these shores again very soon to work in Sweden for a month.

"We've asked him not to play football while he's out there," said Brandon boss Kenny Lindoe.

"It took us a while to get international clearance for him from Australia after he had played out there, and we don't want to go through all the red tape again."

Seaham Red Star's FA Cup preliminary round replay against Farsley Celtic was delayed by 30 minutes on Tuesday night because of a floodlight failure.

Despite scoring early in the game, the delay worked against Seaham. because they lost 6-1.

Shildon have arranged to play their Durham Challenge cup tie at Billingham Synthonia on Tuesday October 1. Meanwhile, striker Nigel Bolton has come off the transfer list at Dean Street at his own request.

Dunston have signed former Lincoln City defender Steve Holmes, who has been forced to retire from the pro game because of injury and is expected to make his debut this weekend.

Esh Winning set themselves up for a home tie with Harrogate RA after they beat Warrington 3-1 in their preliminary round replay on Wednesday. Esh led 1-0 for most of the game with a Stuart Connolly goal, but Warrington levelled in the closing minutes. However, Esh kept their cool and Gary Messer scored twice in extra time.

Willington went out in a 5-1 defeat at Atherton Collieries on Monday night.

In the league, Billingham Town are now joint top with Brandon after they beat Guisborough 2-0 in midweek, Paul Rowntree and Stuart Jackson with the goals.

Tow Law lost their unbeaten record after they were beaten 3-0 at Marske, with keeper Gareth McNarey receiving a red card for a professional foul when the score was 1-0.

Shildon kept a clean sheet - and also failed to score - for the first time this season as they drew 0-0 with Chester-le-Street.

Morpeth moved away from the foot of the table by beating Peterlee 4-1.

In the second division, Kennek Ryhope CA are three points clear after they won 5-0 at Norton, although Norton missed a penalty with the score 1-0.

Whickham are second after they won 2-1 at bottom club Shotton.

Revised draw for the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on September 14: Bedlington v Ossett Albion, Esh Winning v Harrogate RA, Horden v Shotton, Dunston v Selby , Bishop Auckland v Rossington Main, Jarrow Roofing v Billingham Town, Morpeth v Guisborough, West Auckland v Chorley, Chester-le-Street v Penrith, Great Harwood v Crook Town, Tow Law v Matlock, Durham City v Worsbrough Bridge, Guiseley v Hebburn, Peterlee v Louth United, Spennymoor v Ashington.

fixtures, tonight: Division One: Durham City v West Auckland.

Tomorrow - Division One: Bedlington v Newcastle Blue Star, Brandon v Esh Winning, Dunston v Whitley Bay, Peterlee v Consett, Shildon v Billingham Synthonia, Tow Law v Billingham Town.

Division Two: Alnwick v Murton, Ashington v Willington, Eppleton v Whickham, Kennek Ryhope CA v Washington Nissan, Shotton v Evenwood, Thornaby v Seaham Red Star.

FA Vase first qualifying round: Brodsworth v Jarrow Roofing, Chester-le-Street v Eccleshill, Crook Town v Guisborough, Easington v Warrington, Hatfield Main v Penrith, Marske v Prudhoe, New Mills v Northallerton, Norton v Washington, Poulton Victoria v Hebburn, South Shields v Holker Old Boys.