Crook Town have appointed former player Mark Linighan as their assistant manager.

Linighan played for Crook at the same time as manager Dennis Pinkney, and made 200 appearances before leaving the club. Ironically, he was recently assistant manager at Horden when the Second Division side beat Crook in the preliminary round of the FA Cup earlier this month.

However, the management team at Horden has since parted company with the club, and Jim McGrath has been re-appointed manager.

Linighan is bringing with him coach Roy Fraser, who is fully qualified and has spent 23 years in army football.

Crook have also signed full back Marc Hebdon from Durham and full back Martin Carter from Horden.

Tow Law have set up a committee to organise the return of Chris Waddle. A date has yet to be arranged for him to play - probably sometime in October - but Tow Law manager Graeme Forster said; "Worksop have been very good so far, and so has he."

Bedlington could be kicked out of the Albany Northern League Cup for failing to field a team at Dunston on Tuesday night.

Bedlington have picked up several injuries in recent weeks, and with other players unavailable because of a sickness bug, contacted league chairman Mike Amos on Monday asking for a postponement.

But Amos refused. "Bedlington contacted me, saying that they couldn't raise a team because of injuries and sickness.

"I instructed them to play, and use their reserve team. But then they told me that they couldn't do that, because the reserve team manager had said they couldn't use his players.

"We will be discussing the matter at our next management meeting on October 5."

There are a couple of options open to the management committee. One could be a heavy fine and instruction that the game should be played, another could be dismissal from the competition.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos has been assured that the the proposed restructure of the pyrmiad system will not affect the League.

A proposal that only the Southern and UniBond Leagues feed into the Conference has had a mixed reaction because of the omission of the Isthmian League, and there was also the possibility that the Northern League would lose clubs to a restructured First Division of the UniBond League.

But Amos said; "We have been told by senior authorities at the FA that we and other leagues at our level won't be affected and that there is no cause for concern, but we are still watching the situation closely. The sooner it is finally resolved, the better."

Billingham Town are hoping to be given final approval of the construction of their new clubhouse in early October.

Jarrow Roofing are still looking for a keeper following the injury to Micky Norris last month.

Norris broke his leg against Peterlee in an Albany Division One match, and is going to be out of action for several months.

But because Jarrow have no recognised goalkeeping cover, they have had to use defender Dave Moore between the posts while they try to find a new keeper.

"Dave has got some goalkeeping experience from earlier in his career, but it's unfair to expect him to continue playing in goal, because he's meant to be a defender. I'm desperate for a keeper," said Jarrow manager Richie McLoughlin.

Moore did well against West Auckland last Saturday, conceding just one in a 3-1 victory.

Easington manager Wilf Constantine believes that the arrival of Paul Pitman is an excellent signing for the club.

Pitman returned to his first club at the weekend as player-coach, and could make his return debut this weekend, fuel crisis permitting.

Constantine, who watched his side lose for the second time this season to Whitley Bay last Saturday, said; "Paul is a very experienced player, who scored a huge number of goals for Whitby.

"I want my players to learn from him because we have to improve. I'm unhappy with some of our recent performances."

Three Northern League teams are in the national spotlight in the first qualifying round of the FA cup tomorrow.

Seaham Red Star's home tie with Great Harwood is being covered by internet company Teamtalk.com, who are featuring the game in their Road to Cardiff series. Spokesman Paul Fletcher said; "We want to start from the grassroots, and follow teams all the way through the competition."

Teamtalk.com will be out in force on the day of the game, and will have a special caravan at the game.

The tie between Durham City and Newcastle Blue Star is being featured on Talk Radio, who covered the game in the previous round between Tow Law and Newcastle Blue Star.

Crook Town will have a different cup competition on their minds on Monday night, when their youth team plays Chadderton at the Millfield, kick off 7.30.

Brandon held Durham City to a 2-2 draw in the First Division on Tuesday night. They took the lead after four minutes through Gary Clarke, but Durham equalised after 38 minutes through John Outhwaite from a Richie Alderson cross. On half time, Durham took the lead when Stuart Brightwell crossed from the left for Alderson to score. But Brandon levelled after 70 minutes when Andy Cuthbertson scored from the penalty spot.

In the second division, Kennek Ryhope drew 0-0 with Horden, Dean Arkley hitting the post from 30 yards in the dying seconds.

West Auckland made progress in the League Cup by beating Penrith 2-0.

West took the lead after 20 minutes when Ray Stanger scored with a deflected free kick, and ten minutes later, Paul Harnett crossed for Neil Johnson to head home.

Esh Winning beat Willington 3-1, Anthony Cosgrove and Dean Smithson scoring in the last ten minutes. Smithson had earlier put Esh in front, with Trevor Ball equalising.

Seaham Red Star won 3-0 at Evenwood. David Ross put them in the lead after 6 minutes, then Ian Gallagher scored further goals after 40 and 75 minutes.

Marske United won a thriller at Hebburn by 3-2. Hebburn took the lead from the penalty spot after five minutes through Mark Laidler after Marske keeper Archie Moore brought down Robert Marsden, but Steve Hampton levelled with a header from a Simon Kasonali corner.

Neil Hodgson put them in front with a bullet header from a right wing cross, then Moore saved a second penalty from Laidler for a handball offence. Ray Woodhouse made it 3-1 with a header from a Darren Sankey cross, with Steve Handy pulling a goal back late on.

Billingham Synthonia won 3-1 at neighbours Thornaby. Brendan Lowes, Glen Corkain and Charlie Butler scored for Synners, with Andy Cole replying.

South Shields beat Murton 3-0, with goals from Anthony Howarth, Micky Parkinson and Les Gamble