THE future of Brandon is again in doubt as they prepare for their home game with Shildon this afternoon - but they have vowed to keep going.

After deciding to continue following a crisis meeting during the summer, the club, which won the league three seasons ago, is suffering from a lack of both finance and people.

The management team of Alan Shoulder, John Parnaby and Steve Howey have quit, while at least two players have said that they won't be turning up today.

The club isn't in any debt but isn't prepared to incur any bigger financial problems with very little income coming in.

Secretary Brian Richardson said: "We're going to carry on until the end of the season and in the meantime hopefully we'll be able to use some players from our junior side. But this could be our last unless people step forward to help us again.

"This season has been very hard work for everybody and most people have said that they're not enjoying their football.

"The committee will be deciding on the club's future over the next few weeks. Hopefully we can generate something and keep going."

Some of the senior players will be taking charge of the team this afternoon and they will be missing transfer-listed striker Kevin Shoulder because of suspension.

Fourth-bottom Shildon will give keeper Adam Collington a fitness test, but Simon Ord and Jason Newell are both injured. Top scorer Wayne Gredziak has turned down an approach from Bishop Auckland.

League leaders Bedlington, unbeaten in their last 15 league matches, are at Dunston and will be without suspended midfielder Paul Robinson. Dunston are close to full strength, although they have injury doubts over keeper Stuart Dawson and midfielder Danny Shore.

Newcastle Blue Star are at Thornaby without defender Danny Anderson and midfielder Jon Cullen. Thornaby have signed defender Mark Salmon, who used to play under Blue Star boss Tony Lee at Bishop Auckland. Andy Harbron, is suspended.

Durham City, who are fourth, go to Jarrow Roofing and they welcome Gary Pearson back into their midfield. Roofing are at full strength with the return of Ryan Kerr.

Billingham Synthonia take on West Auckland only a fortnight after beating them in the Vase. Defender Shaun Hope is suspended for Synners and Mark Sunley has a thigh injury. West manager David Bayles is expected to make changes and is without suspended striker Lee Ellison.

Chester-le-Street are at home to Ashington and will give midfielder Andy Cuthbertson a fitness test, but defender Anthony March returns after missing the midweek win at Norton. Ashington, who are third bottom, have injury doubts over Paul Hogg and Jason Ritchie.

Second-bottom Esh Winning are at fifth-bottom Morpeth and include new signing Peter Maughan from Tow Law but are without suspended full back Jamie Arthur. Lee Suddes and Graham Carter both return. Morpeth are hoping to sign Jamie Elrington from Hebburn.

Tow Law's squad is greatly strengthened by the returns of Gary Ankers, Scott Emmerson and Stuart Niven after injury for their game at Horden. Defender Graham Liddle has turned down a move to Bishop Auckland. Horden are missing Steven Bell and Tony Hall because of suspension. Darren Roulston, Lee Ure and Kevin Devine are all injured.

Billingham Town, who beat Bishop Auckland in midweek, are at home to Newcastle Benfield.

Sunderland Nissan play Whitley Bay without suspended trio Steve Halliday, Andy Reay and Chris Leonard. Striker Darren Sankey returns. Whitley are without Kevin Walton, who is injured.

In the second division, former Darlington and Hartlepool midfielder Andy Toman takes charge of his first game as Guisborough manager at home to Washington.

Toman was appointed as manager of the bottom club this week and has seven new signings, including former Peterlee players Paul Harvey and Simon Dodsworth, in an attempt to win the club's first league game of the season.

Leaders Consett go for 12 league wins out of 12 at home to Prudhoe without Gary Forbes because of injury. Chris Douglas is doubtful.

Spennymoor go to Ryton and have an injury doubt over striker Chris Lawther..

Whickham, in third place, go to Northallerton and will give striker Ian Robson a fitness test. Northallerton, four points behind, welcome back defenders Stuart Jackson and Ian Williams.