Bishop Auckland have asked for volunteers as they race to beat the UniBond League's deadline.

Bishops intend to share Shildon's Dean Street ground next season to stage league matches, but they are racing against time to beat the UniBond League's April 30 deadline.

Shildon's ground needs several improvements to reach the UniBond League standard, and Bishops spokesman Terry Jackson said: "We need as many people as possible to go along to Shildon on Sunday morning to help work on the ground

"The UniBond League has given us a list of jobs to do and we're trying to get them all completed by the deadline."

The biggest job will be the erection of a 1,000 standing capacity stand, while the UniBond League are also asking for two levels of terracing in some parts of the ground.

Shildon chairman Gordon Hampton is confident the work will be completed in time.

"We've already put in an enormous amount of preparation work. Building a stand sounds a big project but we believe it will be only seven days' work.

"It's a very positive move for Shildon, and the project will help us."

However, if Bishops and Shildon fail to meet the UniBond criteria - the UniBond are taking the view that Shildon is a new ground - then that could present a major problem for Bishops, who might then have nowhere to stage home games if they complete the sale of Kingsway.

Meanwhile, Bishops are at already relegated Bamber Bridge today and they have doubts over three strikers, all of whom came off injured against Marine on Wednesday night.

Andrew Shaw and Wayne Edgcumbe will both have fitness tests, but Carl Chillingworth is expected to be fit. Centre half Mark Salmon will return after a shoulder injury

Whitby, who are also in the relegation scrap, could be unchanged for their home game with Droylsden and seeking their fourth successive win.

Spennymoor, who are in fifth palce in the First Division, are at lowly Workington and will be without striker Danny Brunskill and full back Chris Lynch.

Moors are also awaiting the referee's report from Tuesday night, when midfielder Anthony Lee was controversially sent off for allegedly throwing a punch, an offence which carries a three-match ban.

Manager Tony Lee said: "The referee has told us he realised afterwards there was no punch thrown or contact made at all. We will wait and see what's in his report.''

Seaham Red Star could withdraw their resignation from the Northern League - depending on the turnout at an open meeting today.

Seaham submitted their resignation to the league last week, stating that they were struggling for committee men, but chairman John Smith is optimistic that they might rescind the resignation after a midday meeting.

"We'll be asking for more volunteers to do the various jobs at the club," he said.

"We resigned because we need help, the reason wasn't financial. We're hoping that we'll stir people up and encourage them to come forward. One person can't do all the jobs.

"We resigned as a safeguard, because if we'd been forced to resign at the end of the season then we would have been heavily fined and the players and officials possibly barred from football."

Seaham were runners-up in the league only two years ago, but they will be relegated this season.

The bottom of the table has become even more interesting following the decision of the league to deduct three points from Ashington for fielding an ineligible player, which puts them fourth bottom with just four games remaining.

Ashington have a tough game at FA Vase finalists Whitley Bay today, but they might be helped by the fact that Bay have several players injured. Manager Andy Gowens played against Billingham Town on Thursday night but is unlikely to play today.

Thornaby, who are second bottom, could be unchanged for their trip to Dunston, who are chasing second place. Dunston welcome back midfielder Gary Forbes after injury.

Washington, who have won just once in two months and are fifth from bottom, are at home to Peterlee.

Consett, who are on the fringe of the relegation fight, are hoping to end a run of three games without a win at home to Jarrow Roofing.

They hope that seven players can return after injury and suspension, but Gareth McKenna is missing with a foot injury. Roofing, who are unbeaten in their last five matches, are without five players because of injury.

Durham City, who are still in the doldrums after their FA vase defeat, are at sixth bottom Newcastle Blue Star, and will be without injured defender Michael Canavan.

Tow Law can improve their chances of the runners-up spot if they win at Chester-le-Street, but they will be without midfielder Scott Nicholson because of suspension, while midfielder Steve Walker has a fitness test