Durham City manager Brian Honour has his eye on a money-spinning run in the FA Cup. Once regarded as a financial loss by many non-league clubs, round by round cash awards means a place in the later stages is now very much worth while.

Even the winners in this weekend's extra preliminary round will receive £200. A win in the preliminary round on September 1 is worth £400, rising to £1200 for a fourth qualifying round win. Getting to the first round proper of the FA Cup is worth £3,500 to most clubs, quite apart from the prestige and a chance to play a well-known professional side.

Durham begin their FA Cup campaign with a trip to second division Willington on September 1. Neighbours Brandon United have an even earlier start with and extra preliminary round tie at home to Merseysiders St. Helens Town in the extra preliminary round on August 25.

There are also prize funds in the Trophy and the Vase. A first round win in the FA Umbro Trophy is worth £500, rising to £10,000 in the final - a grand total of £22,600 for the eventual winners.

The FA Calsberg Vase

offers £150 to first round winners, rising to £5,000 for the final winners, a possible total of £13,450.

"Many people don't realise what the FA Cup is worth," said Honour. "It's really worthwhile having a go."

Tow Law Town won the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Trophy for the fourth year in a row with a 3-1 victory away to Crook Town in the final.

Four teams contest this pre-season tournament in memory of former Albany Northern League president and North-West Durham MP Ernest Armstrong.

Tow Law won 2-1 at Willington in their semi final, while Crook went straight into the final as opponents Stanley United withdrew after their tie had been called off due to fog.

The final saw a close contest with no goals in the first half. Tow Law took the lead ten minutes into the second half, Brian Wake scoring in a goal-mouth scramble. Crook equalised five minutes later, Paul Freary marking his senior debut with a fine headed goal from Michael Sutcliffe's cross.

Tow Law regained the lead on 70 minutes with a Wake penalty. Captain Scott Nicholson scored Tow Law's third before collecting the trophy from Ernest's son John Armstrong.

Crook assistant manager Dennis Pinkney came on as a late substitute to set a new club appearance record. Pinkney has now played 506 times for Crook, overtaking the 505 mark set by the inimitable Jimmy McMillan.

With the season now under way, the Albany Northern League is still looking for an immediate replacement for referees secretary Ted Ilderton who has had to give up the position he has held for the last eleven years due to his health.

Before stepping down, Ilderton appointed match officials for August and September, but a new person is needed to take over as soon as possible.

Referee Kevin Harrison from Stockton has agreed to assist by dealing with the allocation of assistant referees, but he is continuing to referee and cannot deal with the men or women in the middle.

"Some refereeing experience is required, and the person appointed will have to be computer literate," said league chairman Mike Amos. Anyone interested can contact Mike on (01325) 377463 or league secretary Tony Golightly on (0191) 388 2056.

On Tuesday evening Durham City came from 2-0 down to draw 3-2 at West Auckland, Stuart Irvine missed a penalty three minutes from the end. While Brandon scored four times in the second half to win by 4-0 at Newcastle Blue Star.

Lee Flanagan scored twice as Billingham Synthonia beat Guisborough 3-1.

In The Albany Northern League Cup Tow Law easily beat Murton by five goals to nil, while Whitley Bay beat Easington 3-0.

Division One: Billingham Synthonia 3, (Fawcett, Flanagan 2), Guiseborough 1 (Mowbray); Newcastle Blue Star 0, Brandon 4 (Robson 3, Ewart, Pitt); West Auckland 2 (Milroy, Spout), Durham City 2 (Moan, Ord).

Division Two: Penrith 5, (Hodgson 2, Chapman, Cherry, Bowman), Whickham 2 (Peacock, Hill); Prudhoe 1, (Barkess), Washington Nissan 0.

League Cup: Esh Winning 1 (Howe), Willington 0; Shotton 2, Morpeth 4; Whitley Bay 3, (Walton, Cuddy, Chandler), Easington 0; Tow Law 5, Murton 0