Guisborough will take another step on the long road towards the championship if they defeat Marske at Fountains Garth this afternoon.

Monday's defeat of third-placed Middlesbrough and Blackhall's inability to see off the challenge of Marske has let Guisborough move 23 points ahead of the Collierymen with just three games to play.

"It was a huge result for us on Monday and it was like winning a cup final. Middlesbrough were unbeaten but now we are the only side not to have lost," enthused Guisborough secretary Gary Bolton.

"We have proved in recent weeks when we have key players missing that we have strength in depth but we need to make sure that we do not slip up in out three final fixtures," Bolton said.

Guisborough today make just one change with Chris Trillo, promoted to keep wicket in place of the unavailable Rob Hornbrook.

Marske, comfortably placed in mid-table, are unchanged from the side which took Blackhall to the brink in Monday's fixture.

Blackhall now have a near impossible task after jockeying for pole position with Guisborough all season but they have not given up hope.

They visit Redcar showing a number of changes with Gavin Watts, Dean Langridge and Billy Hornby taking over from Stephen Sargeant, Philip Bell and Mark Newlove.

The Collierymen have lost just once in 23 games but virtually need to win their last three matches if they are to overtake Guisborough. Redcar welcome the return of Andy Hassack and Ryan Lazenby who are named instead of Ray Hood and Steve Hassack, who has returned to the RAF.

Middlesbrough, who have had bad luck with the weather, host Thornaby at Acklam Park with Alex Roberts returning from his duties with the England U18 squad. Lee Roberts is the player to make way. Thornaby have Neil Parkin taking over from Gary Saxton.

Bishop Auckland are all but mathematically certain of ending at the bottom but at least they have celebrated a first win of the season against Northallerton last Saturday and again gave an encouraging performance in Monday's match with Richmondshire.

"It was great to get our first win under out belts and there is no doubt we have improved over the last six weeks. There is now light at the end of the tunnel.

"Obviously, we hope to escape relegation but if we go down we have the nucleus of a decent side and will quickly regroup," claimed skipper Harry Smurthwaite.

Bishop Auckland visit Normanby Hall this afternoon with Mark McAdam displacing Frank Smith, who is named in the second team.

Northallerton are hoping it will be fourth time lucky against Darlington RA. They have managed fewer than 100 runs in the last three games and on each occasion RA professional Paul Thomas has taken seven wickets.

Captain Ian Gill resumes and also included in the Northallerton line-up at David Thompson, Peter Guy and Richard Chandler, the quartet replacing Dennis Norman, Ian Place, Barnaby Heap and Luke Jarvis.

Darlington RA, disappointed at losing to Horden in the final of the Alan Muse Insurance Saunders Cup last Sunday, need a win as they aim to move from second bottom position. With Peter Cartwright and Peter Mellor unavailable, RA bring in Nigel Whaley and Stuart Bell.

Ian Jackson is being troubled with a hamstring injury and is absent from the Hartlepool line-up at Saltburn where Izran Hussain takes over. Darlington, for their visit to Richmondshire have Mark Jobling, Shaun Russell and Matthew Morgans all available.

Wolviston's victory last Monday means that they are just 23 points behind leaders Seaton Carew in division one with a couple of games in hand.

By a quick of the fixtures, Wolviston are at home today to Yarm who they defeated by nine wickets in the Bank Holiday programme while Seaton Carew line-up at home to Middlesbrough.

Gary Moody and Lee Craggs are included in the Darlington side to meet Guisborough at Feethams and Marske name brothers Graeme and Ali Lambton, Jordan Carroll and Lee Hodgson at Billingham Synthonia.

l Ashington, who went to the top of the Fosters Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League table for the first time this season on Monday have emerged as favourites to take the title.

They visit Swalwell boosted by the return of left-arm spinner Surjit Singh and Michael Levison is promoted, the pair taking over from Brian Vout and Rob Henderson.

Annfield Plain who were all out for 59 last weekend, bounces back to form defeating Leadgate in the final of the Sportswide AM Brown Cup to add to the Regency Windows Cup they had already won.

Whickham are the visitors to a full-strength Annfield Plain, and after finishing fourth last season Whickham are staring relegation in the face. They are without Robin Moor who took seven wickets last Saturday, but the former Blaydon strike bowler Ian Reid and Michael Armstrong are able to play.

With Lanchester and Benwell and Walbottle already promoted, Burnopfield need to win at Alnwick to clinch third place.

Their chances are boosted by the return of early order batsman Andy Peart, who has had a broken toe. David Baxter will also be absent.