West Auckland manager Alan Oliver is delighted to appoint former Darlington and Hartlepool player Paul Cross as his new assistant manager.

Cross, who now works as a physio in Darlington, replaces Dale Swainston who quit a fortnight ago.

"Paul's got loads of experience and has got plenty of contacts," said Oliver. Cross has been involved in the Northern League before, as he has been manager of Crook Town.

Tow Law manager Graeme Forster is delighted that striker Brian Wake has returned to the club from Carlisle - for the time being, anyway.

Wake left Ironworks Road for the Third Division club last year, but so far has failed to figure in the first team squad because of the turmoil at Brunton Park, and Forster has persuaded Carlisle to allow the teenager to play at his old club.

Bedlington will play Northern Alliance side West Allotment in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup at Blyth on Monday, April 22 (7.30pm).

Crook Town are thinking about forming a veterans' team for next season, and some of their old players are understood to have been in contact.

Willington manager David Styles had to put on his boots again when Willington played at Evenwood last week. Willington were so short of players, that Styles had to make his debut.

Secretary Bob Nichol said: "Because of injury and unavailability, that at 7.15 we couldn't turn a team out."

Two clubs have been deducted three points for fielding ineligible players. Guisborough have been punished for fielding Stephen Murray when the player wasn't registered properly in their 0-0 draw at Newcastle Blue Star last month. That will be good news for Blue Star, as they can ask for the game to be replayed if they want. They may be tempted to improve their chances of avoiding the drop, especially as Morpeth have several games in hand.

Ashington have also been deducted three points for using an incorrectly transferred player, Dominic Riley, but they lost the game concerned.

Jarrow Roofing have been fined £50 for fielding Paul Hollier in their League Cup tie against Shildon, as he had already played for Newcastle Blue Star in the competition. It was the second time in the competition that a team had used an ineligible player against Shildon - South Shields also committed the same sin, but they also lost the game.

Thornaby have been fined £125 for failing to return their match report forms on time. According to league rules, a fine of £10 can be imposed of the form aren't submitted to the league within five days of the game, and the fine is then increased by £5 per day thereafter. It is understood that there are three instances of the forms not being returned.

Two second division clubs have been charged with undesirable conduct because of misconduct by their officials. South Shields and Washington Nissan have been instructed to appear in front of the committee following alleged misbehaviour by David Hall and Gavin Liddle respectively.

Four of the clubs chasing promotion from the Second Division have all been told that their grounds meet the criteria for the First Division. Esh Winning, Prudhoe, Penrith and Shildon have all been cleared, while Easington's will be inspected this week.

The league has announced its latest Performance of the week awards. They were: 2nd March; Kennek Ryhope for their 2-1 win at Shildon; 9th March Prudhoe for trouncing Norton 10-1; 16th march Shotton for their 5-3 win at Evenwood; 23rd March; Crook for a 2-1 home win over Easington; and 30th march Jarrow Roofing for their 2-0 win at West Auckland.

Bedlington are now just a point away from the title after their 3-0 midweek win over Durham City. Willie Moat headed them in front after 39 minutes, with Dean Gibb and Christian Graham scoring more goals in the second half.

The way was cleared for Bedlington to clinch their fifth title when midweek results went in their favour.

Second placed Dunston lost 4-3 at Jarrow Roofing.

Just as they did against Billingham Synthonia last Saturday, they went 3-0 down. Ged Quinn set up Paul Hollier for the first after nine minutes, then Craig Nelson added the second with a deflected shot. Paul Chow scored the third from a Nelson pass, before Dunston launched a brief fightback, with gaols from Paul Hogg and Nicky Scaife.

But Chow scored his second of the night after 75 minutes, and near the end Andy Fletcher made it 4-3.

West Auckland also dropped points in a 2-2 draw at Billingham Synthonia. Roy Allen chipped the keeper to put West into the lead, then Ian Wardrop pounced on a loose clearance for the second. Lee Flanagan pulled one back from the spot for a handball offence after 40 minutes, then Ben Walker levelled from a rebound.

Tow Law lost 2-1 at Newcastle Blue Star. A clearance by Graham Liddle rebounded off Dave Muir to put Blue Star into the lead, then Lee Telfer headed in a Michael Cowans' free kick. Andy McKenna pulled one back from close range, then Marc Eccles missed a penalty and Kraig Wilkinson hit the bar.

FA Vase finalists Whitley Bay lost 2-1 at Marske, who took the lead after 9 minutes through Andrew Brown from a Scott Davies cross. They then had Ben Sankey dismissed for swearing, but they went further ahead through a right foot shot by Greg Booth. Steve Cuggy pulled a late goal back for Whitley.

The 0-0 draw between Morpeth and Thornaby was of much more use to Morpeth than their visitors. Morpeth hit the bar twice.

Washington are in increasing danger after they lost 1-0 at home to Guisborough, Thomas Jones scoring for the visitors. Washington are fifth from bottom, and have played more games than their fellow strugglers.

Chester-le-Street beat Billingham Town 2-1. Andy Blower put them in front, with Andy Swalwell levelling from a free kick. John Heggarty headed the winner after 65 minutes.

In the second division, Prudhoe won their promotion clash with Easington 3-0, thanks to two first half goals from Anthony Barkess, and another from Marc Nash.

Shildon beat Hebburn 5-0, after scoring four times in the first half. Nigel Bolton (2), John Outhwaite (2) and Brian Fairhurst were the scorers.

Shildon reached the final of the Craven Cup on Monday night when they came from behind to beat Washington Nissan 3-2.

The Craven Cup against Prudhoe will be played at Esh Winning on Thursday, May 9 (7pm).