Tow Law striker Brian Wake is being pursued by several professional clubs.

Former Darlington and Hartlepool manager Alan Murray, who is now working for Blackburn alongside his old Middlesbrough teammate Graeme Souness, is the latest to take notice of the 18-year-old, who has been popping the goals in regularly this season.

Tow Law boss Graeme Forster said: "He's certainly making a big impression this season, and several clubs are watching him. We've had Darlington, Hartlepool, Crystal Palace and Carlisle all keeping an eye on him." Lawyers were locked in contract talks with the player last week.

Billingham Town manager Alan Robinson was worried about his team's away form until Saturday's 5-2 win at Newcastle Blue Star.

After becoming one of the most feared away teams in the league last season with some excellent displays on their travels, Town have slipped up this season, and their poor away results have contributed to their slide down the table.

But their 5-2 win at Blue Star changed all that.

"It's not too bad on Saturdays, but we have our problems in midweek, when players are struggling to get time off work.

"But with the likes of David Gallagher and Paul Dalton arriving, then I'm sure things will change. We played some great stuff on Saturday, so hopefully we can keep it going."

One of Town's away defeats has been at Consett where they lost 5-2, and Robinson said: "Consett won't be in the bottom three for long if they keep playing like that."

However, Robinson has a different problem on his hands - leading scorer Paul Rowntree has asked to be put on the transfer list.

Brandon expect to lose young full back Anthony McStea to Wolves in the near future.

McStea, who has been on Middlesbrough's books, has turned in some excellent displays for Brandon this season, and clubs have been flocking to the Welfare Ground.

Several UniBond clubs, plus Morecambe from the Conference, have all been interested, but Wolves appear to have won the race.

"He had a trial last week, and he did very well," said Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe.

"They asked him to go back this week for a second look, so it looks good for him.

"I hope that Wolves do things right, and give us some recognition."

One of Ashington's biggest crowds for several years turned up last week to see them play Bedlington in the Northern League first Division.

An attendance of 650 went along to Portland Park to see Bedlington remain top of the table, and Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery said: "If the weather had been better, then they would have got a lot more than that."

The game was the first in the league between the two sides since Bedlington were promoted eight years ago.

Seaham Red star manager Wilf Constantine is amazed at veteran centre half Dave Callaghan.

Callaghan, now well into his third decade of Northern League football, is still turning in some good displays for Seaham, who are battling against relegation.

"He never ceases to amaze me," said Constantine. "At the age of 45, he is very fit, and he was outstanding when we drew 2-2 at Durham last week."

Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle has decided to make a playing comeback.

Nissan have been conceding goals with alarming regularity - they conceded 11 at Shildon a fortnight ago - and Liddle, who played for Darlington before moving on to Bishop Auckland, has decided to pull on his boots again.

"We're always going to create chances, but we need to stop the goals going in.

"It was nice to beat Horden in the Craven Cup after a result like the one we had at Shildon."

Liddle also has problems up front, as strikers Gavin Cogden and Adam Johnson will both be missing for a few weeks because of injury.

Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin is telling his players to hold back.

Roofing have slipped down the table in recent weeks, and McLoughlin said: "Our problem is that our players think that the only way to play is by going forward all the time.

"We leave ourselves exposed a little bit, because sometimes we're not content to sit for a point.

"We're not taking our chances when they do come along, and so our goal difference has dropped."

Shildon manager Ray Gowan believes that the signing of midfielder David Bayles will be "very good" for the club.

Bayles announced last month that he was quitting UniBond League football at Bishop Auckland, but almost immediately several Northern League clubs announced their interest in him.

"David has got plenty of experience not only in the UniBond League, but also in the Northern League before that.

"He will give us that little bit extra for our promotion campaign."

Gowan also praised chairman Gordon Hampton for backing him.

"The chairman is a good man to work for. He's very supportive, and so far he's done very well for the club. The town is responding to our results."

The Northern League management committee is to discuss the Eppleton situation at their next meeting.

The league held urgent talks with the club last week because no match results sheets and other paperwork had been sent to the league since early in the season.

League secretary Tony Golightly said: "We held talks with league officials last week, and they handed over the paperwork.

"The threat of suspension is lifted, but they are facing a fine."

The league is also checking the paperwork to make sure that the club hasn't inadvertently fielded any ineligible players.

Even if North Shields win the Wearside League this season, they may not be able to gain entry to the Northern League, according to chairman Mike Amos.

Shields have told their league that they would like to accept promotion to the northern League after a ten year absence if they finish in a top two position and their ground is up to standard.

But Amos says that this might not be possible. "The second division is already operating at its complement of twenty clubs. Because there's no system of relegation and promotion operating with the Wearside League, then a club would have to resign from the Second Division for North Shields to be admitted."

Peterlee manager Eddie Freeman is hoping that his midfielder Lee Crosby can keep up his scoring rate.

Crosby scored twice in Peterlee's 5-0 thrashing of neighbours Seaham Red Star last week to take his tally well into double figures, and Freeman said: He just has a knack of scoring when he goes into the penalty area.

"He scored a superb goal on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Peterlee have lost two players. Full back Carl White has gone to Whitby, and centre half Micky Savage to Blyth. They could also lose keeper Steve Tierney, who has asked to go on the transfer list, but Blyth have transferred keeper Craig Cotterill to them.

Tow Law midfielder Lee Innes has returned to the club - after a weekend in New Zealand!

Lawyers waved farewell to the player, who went to the other side of the world to play cricket - but he returned to the club just a week later.

Manager Graeme Forster said: "He was only there for three days. Apparently, something went wrong with the arrangements for cricket, so he hopped back on to the first flight home.