Brandon are looking for their first home win of the season to lift them off the bottom and move above opponents Ashington.

Alan Shoulder's side had a bad start to the season but have improved in recent weeks.

Shoulder, who has doubts over Max Applegarth and James Hedley, said: "Every game is a big one for us at the moment because we need to get more points on the board. We need to win games, but it's tough at times."

Ashington haven't won a league game since the opening day of the season and are missing Ross Atkinson, Chris Taylor and Jon Sunderland.

Durham City, who this week transfer-listed six of their players, are at home to Shildon and expect to be at full strength.

One of the listed, striker Danny Brunskill, has gone to Whitby, while another two, Paul Taylor and Paul Talbot, could be going to Gateshead, although Queen of the South are also interested in Taylor.

Shildon are missing forward Danny Leicester because of injury, while Scott Richards, Dave Hutchinson and Jason Kidner all face fitness tests.

Leaders Bedlington, who haven't lost since the opening day, are at Horden and might be unchanged from the team that won 5-1 at Thornaby in midweek, even though John Milner is available.

Horden have signed defender Tony Hall from Bishop Auckland and are also hoping to sign another midfielder. Martin O'Riordan and Stuart Brightwell are struggling with injuries.

Whitley Bay, third bottom, are at Jarrow Roofing and are hoping to add to their squad. Roofing are without injured striker Lee O'Donovan but another striker, Keith Hutchinson, returns.

Esh Winning, who climbed out of the bottom three in midweek, are at home to Chester-le-Street. They have injury doubts over recent signing Lee Suddes and defender Geoff Young, but Trevor Ball returns.

Chester are still without Colin Wake, Elliott Milburn and David Curry, but striker Martin Bowes returns.

West Auckland, who have lost only once in seven, are at home to Dunston. Striker Dale Jardine returns after suspension while keeper Mark Bell will face a late fitness test.

Dunston, who are looking for a new striker, are without defenders Billy Irwin and Michael Robson and striker Danny Shore has a knee injury.

West Allotment are at home to Sunderland Nissan and choose from a squad of 21, while Nissan include Johnny Butler, who has returned to the club after a spell in Ireland.

Billingham Synthonia have doubts over defenders Jamie Middleton, Adam McMahon and Shaun Hope for their home game with Tow Law. Lawyers are without defender Carl Beasley and midfielder Ian Davison, while they could give a start to Danny Craggs.

Thornaby, at home to Newcastle Benfield, give fitness tests to Adrian Swan, Andy Harbron and Michael Oliver.

Billingham Town go to Morpeth without defender Chris Smith because of suspension, but midfielder Steve Flockett returns.

In the second division, second placed Washington are at Whickham. Washington are without keeper Ben Starford, David Mawson and Ben Gawthorpe.

Two teams who ran riot in front of goal last week, Consett and Marske, meet at Belle Vue.

Consett, with a 100 per cent record after eight games, are without Chris Douglas because of a hamstring injury, while David Robson and Kraig Wilkinson return.

Managerless Guisborough - previous manager Tim Burn departed after the 12-1 defeat at Consett last Saturday - are at home to North Shields. Craig Morley will be looking after the side.

Crook have a tough game at home to Seaham Red Star, missing strikers Danny Mellanby and Roy Allen as well as defender Mark Foster because of injury.

Former Bishop Auckland defender Steve West will make his home debut, while Seaham, who lost for the first time this season on Thursday, are at full strength.

Darlington RA are hoping to get back on the winning trail against South Shields but could be without eight players, including top-scorer Warren Byrne, because of injury. Manager Dave Woodcock is hoping that defender Charlie Walton can pass a late fitness test.

Norton go to Hebburn and welcome back defender Mike Priestley and striker Steve Pitman. Keeper John Todd has just returned from a week's trial at Darlington.