Now that they have their noses in front - albeit by a slender two-point margin - Saltburn are sure they can go all the way and win the championship.

They were frustrated at being unable to gain the last Darlington RA wicket last Saturday, but overjoyed on learning that Guisborough had lost and Darlington had drawn.

The Seasiders are again minus key players for today's crucial local derby at Redcar.

Adil Ditta is still suspended, Stuart Davies is injured and both Tony Bell and Jonathan Bond are unavailable.

Redcar cannot call upon Darren Nalton, but Andy Weatherall has returned from holiday and Mattie Stokeld is home from the RAF, which means Ross Douglas stepping down into the Second XI.

It is an important weekend for Guisborough. Only three weeks ago, they looked invincible but after going almost two years without suffering defeat, they have lost two of their last three league fixtures.

Today, they meet Normanby Hall at Fountains Garth and expect another big crowd tomorrow when they take on Worcester side Brant Green in the ECB National Knockout Cup, the final of which will be played at Edgbaston.

Gary Bolton, who had played almost 800 games until he was left out of the side last Saturday, again misses today, but he is included in the line-up tomorrow when Graham Murray gives way.

Darlington are just 16 points adrift of Saltburn in what has developed into a three-horse race for the championship.

They host Marske at Feethams unable to include Mark Jobling or Richie Biddle.

"It is extremely tight at the top and it is all to play for in the remaining weeks of the season. All we can aim for is to put together a sequence of wins and hope that our rivals drop points," said cricket co-ordinator John Edwardson.

Marske, in fourth position but realistically out of contention for the title, stay with the same line-up which won a low-scoring game at Redcar last week.

With Wolviston having won twice recently, the sides above them are beginning to look over their shoulders and Richmondshire, third-from-bottom, need a good result from the visit of unchanged Middlesbrough.

Richmond captain Clive Layfield reports that his brother Mark and his son Christopher are both back from holiday but Mark Parsons and Ben Biker are unable to play.

Blackhall change almost half their side for the game with Hartlepool at Park Drive. Derek Spence, Craig Gilmour, Paul Webster, David Penman and David White are replaced by Tony Booth, David Mole, Stephen Sargent, Anthony Gray and Mark Cushlow.

Although Andy Carter is ruled out, Pool are strengthened by the availability of Andy Holland, Steve Lamb and Jack Wilkinson.

Following their win over Guisborough last week, Northallerton are more than happy to field the same side at home to Darlington RA, who are not so fortunate since Gerard Hull, Stephen Russell and Stephen Marr are all sidelined. The trio are replaced by Peter Mellor, Nigel Whaley and Gary Thompson.

Wolviston are still bottom of the table but they have a ray of hope after going three league games and one cup match unbeaten. They host Thornaby in a vital clash unable to call upon Jeff Bluckert and Jimmy Jones so Andrew Davies and Steve Cotterill are named.

Thornaby will include several promising juniors in their line-up with Daniel Woods, Paul Allen and Gary Sexton joining Neil Marsden's team.

* Division One leaders Bishop Auckland play two matches following up today's game with Stokesley, meeting Redcar in a re-arranged fixture at Kingsway tomorrow.

Jamie Crowther dislocated his shoulder last weekend and is sidelined but Bishops are stronger with the return of Phil Timmens and Paul Jenkins.

Stokesley have Chris Knock and David Weighell home from holiday but Alistair Johnson is sidelined and Mark Boston drops into the Second XI.

Great Ayton are also in contention for the title and for their only game at home to Billingham Synthonia make a number of alterations.

The three Doyles, John senior, John junior and Anthony together with Steve Pennock and James Marshall are unable to play.

* A week tomorrow, Wolviston visit Derbyshire side Elvaston in the semi-final of the National Village Cup. The prize for the winners is a trip to Lord's on September 1.