Spennymoor United are hoping to appoint a new manager next week. Moors sacked Peter Quigley a fortnight ago, and since then senior player Jason Ainsley has been picking the team.

Spennymoor chairman Barrie Hindmarch said: "We've got a few interesting choices for manager, and several people have been in touch. We're trying to do it right, and that's not easy.

"We're still not halfway through the season, because maybe if we get the right man for the job, then we might still be able to get into a top five play off spot by the end of the season, because I don't think there's a really outstanding team in this league.

"We're talking to people at the moment, but we won't be making a decision until next week at the earliest."

Bishop Auckland's UniBond League cup tie at Gretna was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch in midweek, and will probably be re-arranged before Christmas, because the next round of the competition is due to be played in January.

Bishops are already scheduled to play Spennymoor next Wednesday night at Kingsway in another group game, but that might have to be postponed if either side draws in the FA Trophy this weekend.

Gateshead's 4-1 win over Blyth in the League cup in midweek put them in second place in their group, having completed all their games

Former Darlington defender Jimmy Willis has been appointed the new boss of UniBond League Bamber Bridge.

Willis was forced to quit playing four years ago because of injury. His brother Paul, who also played for Darlington, has been appointed his assistant.

Former Hartlepool player Ian McGuckin has signed for UniBond League club Barrow, after being released by Oxford United

UniBond League cup group stage

P W D L F A Pts

Blyth 4 3 0 1 10 6 9

Gateshead 4 2 0 2 8 7 6

Spennymoor 2 1 0 1 4 2 3

Bishop Auckland 2 1 0 1 3 5 3

Gretna 2 0 0 2 1 6