West Auckland general manager Stuart Alderson is hoping that a benefactor will come forward to help them with their travel costs to Taunton for the next round of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

West must go to the south west on January 19, and after going to Tiverton and Yeovil in recent years, then West are looking at a big hotel and transport bill.

"We're looking at the best part of £2,000 for the trip.

"It will be a 700 mile round trip, which means that we will have to set off the night before, and stay in a hotel, because it's just not practical to travel on the morning of the game.

"If anybody wants to help, then we'll be only too pleased to speak to them." Alderson can be contacted on (01388) 834211.

The game itself will be tough for West, because Taunton - who lost to Guisborough four years ago in the quarter finals - beat Berkhamsted in last season's final at Villa Park, and have announced they would like to move up to the Dr Martens League next season.

The draw will certainly prompt the other Northern League clubs involved to get their maps out.

If Durham City win their replay against Raunds Town tomorrow, they will have to go to Norfolk to play Dereham Town, who are in the bottom half of the Jewson Eastern League.

Should Tow Law beat Bromsgrove tomorrow in their rescheduled tie, then they will have to play at Aldershot outfit Ash United, who are second in the Combined Counties League.

The other two ANL sides have home ties.

Bedlington, who are looking to reach their second final, are at home to Brigg Town from the Northern Counties East League, while Whitley Bay play Milton Keynes from the South Midlands League

Northern Alliance clubs Newcastle Benfield Saints and West Allotment Celtic have both applied for promotion to the Northern League at the end of the season if they finish in a promotion position and their grounds are up to standard.

North Shields have already said they would like a return to the Northern League if they win promotion from the Wearside League, but as chairman Mike Amos revealed a fortnight ago, the only way any club can enter the league at the moment is if one of the current members resigns or folds. No promotion and relegation system exists with the Wearside and Northern Alliance leagues.

Tow Law have confirmed striker Brian Wake has joined Third Division Carlisle United on a three-and-a-half year contract.

Wake, who was only playing in the Wearside League a year ago, failed to appear for Lawyers' FA Vase tie with Bromsgrove last Saturday, and the club discovered he had signed for the Cumbrians.

Because the teenager hadn't signed a contract with Tow Law, Carlisle didn't have to pay a fee, and picked him up for nothing.

Tow Law manager Graeme Forster said: "We hope that Carlisle are as good as their word with the promises they made to our secretary. For example, they have promised to play us in a friendly."

Tow Law will be hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice - 20 years ago, Chris Waddle went to Newcastle for nothing.

The charge against Billingham Synthonia by Durham FA for failing to keep their spectators under control was thrown out last week.

Synners were summoned to Durham HQ after referee Steve Sunley sent one of their fans from the ground for shouting at him during Synners' 9-7 FA Vase win at Washington Nissan in October.

Synners pointed out at the time that the fan neither swore or threatened the official with violence, and were surprised that they had even been charged with misconduct by Durham FA.

And a hearing has now cleared Synners, whose version of events was backed up by two witnesses.

Secretary Graham Craggs said: "As a club, we always said that we hadn't done anything wrong, and we're delighted we were told there was no case to answer."

Billingham Town manager Alan Robinson believes former Hartlepool and Huddersfield winger Paul Dalton is enjoying a new lease of life.

Town signed Dalton from Dunston last month, and he believes that the club and the player are both reaping the benefits. "Paul is playing very well at the moment,"said Robinson.

"He's told us that he's seeing a lot more of the ball than he was at Dunston, and it's turned into a good move for both of us.

"He's still a quality of player, with plenty of skill and good touches."

Tomorrow's Northern League Division two game between Washington Nissan and Easington has been switched to Easington because Nissan's ground is being used for a county game.

Northallerton are hoping to force themselves back into the Second Division promotion race over the next few weeks.

Northallerton were in the top three in October, but they have slipped into seventh place, seven points off the promotion places.

"We've got nine games coming up now against teams who are outside the top five," said manager Peter Mulcaster.

"We must make the most of them, and make up ground."

Northallerton gave a debut to defender Richie Watson a fortnight ago, and Mulcaster said that the former Gateshead player has been "magnificent.