North Shields could be set to rejoin the Northern League after a gap of 12 years.

They left for the Northern Counties East League in 1989 but the club went under after they were refused promotion to the UniBond League.

They reformed and joined the Wearside League at a new ground, and after inspections by league officials, have been told their ground is up to Northern League standard, subject to one or two minor improvements.

Washington Nissan are also up to the required standard, and along with Shields, will be recommended for membership providing they finish in the top two of the Wearside League. Only one of them will be promoted. Nissan are top, with North Shields in second place.

Several Northern League managers have been instructed to appear in front of the Northern League management committee following incidents in recent games.

Ray Gowan (Shildon), Mark Forster (Guisborough) and Charlie Bell (Marske) have all been charged with undesirable conduct, along with Thornaby's assistant manager Peter May.

All of them must attend the next disciplinary sub committee meeting.

Northallerton player Andrew Brown has already been found guilty of head butting by North Riding FA and banned for 84 days, and he must also attend.

The league is waiting for any Durham FA action on Murton manager Chris Copeland and Evenwood's Terry Laffey, while players Mark Taylor of Peterlee and Ben Thompson of Marske have been reported to the league for attempted head butting.

The Northern League inspectors have completed their tour of Second Division facilities, and have recommended that all but Norton are suitable for promotion.

Norton were turned down because of their "complete lack of terracing" at the ground.

Thornaby's ground was passed, but league chairman Mike Amos is to write to Thornaby to "make a number of points, which thought not serious enough to prevent the club being promoted, were such that attention should be drawn to them."

Bedlington Terriers have won the Team of the Month award for February, while Second Division promotion chasers Washington have won the award for March.

Second Division Evenwood have been told that they will be unable to stage home games for at least another ten days.

Foot-and-mouth has been discovered at a farm next to the ground, and officials from MAFF have told the club that they won't be able to play games for the time being. The home game against Ashington was therefore postponed on Wednesday night, as well as this Wednesday's home game with Whickham.

Evenwood have five home games left, and if the instruction stays in place then there is the possibility that home games could be switched to neighbouring West Auckland.

Durham City gave themselves an outside chance of the title on Tuesday night when they won 2-1 at Billingha Synthonia who took the lead with a powerful shot from Lee Flanagan. Durham hit back when a shot from Gavin Mudd was parried by Gary Popple in the Synners goal, and Micky Dunwell snapped up the rebound.

And the former Hartlepool player got the winner from a Stuart Irvine pass.

Bottom club Crook Town surprised Whitley Bay with a 2-2 draw at Hillheads, and played most of the game with ten men.

Martin Blythe gave them the lead after 20 minutes, but they then had Chris Burn dismissed for retaliation just on half time.

Ian Chandler levelled for Whitley and then Andy Bowman gave them the lead, but Blythe levelled with ten minutes left for only their sixth point of the season.

Easington are still in some trouble after they lost 1-0 at home to Marske United. A poor game was heading for a goalless draw until Chris Reeve hit a post with a header and Ben Thompson scored from the rebound.

Billingham Town suffered a rare away defeat when they were beaten 2-0 at Guisborough.

Both goals came in the second half, set up by Steve Corden.

The first was a header by Darren Mowbray, and the second another header from sub Craig Gibbin.

Tow Law Town beat Newcastle Blue Star 5-3 at Ironworks Road.

Lawyers never looked back after taking a three-goal lead through David Hunter, Andy McKenna and Nigel Bolton, with Bolton and McKenna scoring further goals in the second half.

In Division Two, Washington extended their unbeaten record which stretches back to November with a 5-0 home win over Evenwood, Steve Burns scoring two of the goals, with Darren Little, Micky Rogers and Lee O'Donovan getting the others.

Northallerton's chances of promotion nose-dived when they lost 4-3 at Penrith on Tuesday night.

In the Craven Cup, Thornaby are through to the semi-finals after a 5-3 win at Alnwick, while Prudhoe's Jeff Pogson scored four in his side's 6-0 romp at Shotton.

South Shields are also in the semis after beating Whickham 2-0.

On Wednesday night, Dunston's title hopes suffered a blow when they lost 3-2 at Brandon after leading 2-0 with ten minutes left.

Former Brandon player Paul Dalton fired Dunston ahead after just five minutes, then Micky Farrey got the second from 25 yards.

But with ten minutes left, Dunston keeper Andy Hutchison missed an tame shot from Micky Cunningham to let Brandon back into the game, then Mark Patterson played a 1-2 with Andrew Cuthbertson and equalised.

Dave Robson raced clear for the winner with six minutes left.

Bedlington are ten points off the lead after beating Chester-le-Street 2-0, with a goal in each half from John Milner.

West Auckland lost 2-1 at home to Consett, after being in front.

Jonathan Milroy scored from a Paul Nozedar cross after 18 minutes, but Kieron McGinlay ran through for the equaliser after 50 minutes. Tony Halliday set up Chris Hodgson for the winner with 13 minutes left.

In the Second Division, Shildon beat Norton thanks to a 25th-minute goal from Dale White.

The Northern League cup final between Bedlington and Marske has been switched to West Auckland from Durham City, on Thursday May 17. The Craven Cup final will be at Shildon the following night.