Tow Law are looking for revenge against Shildon this afternoon to virtually ensure safety from relegation.

Lawyers lost 3-1 at Shildon a fortnight ago to drop deeper into the relegation fight, but victory over leaders Blue Star in their following game has boosted spirits ahead of the return clash with the Railwaymen this afternoon.

"I'm wondering which team will turn up for us," said manager Graeme Clark. "The Blue Star win gave us all a lift and the players have realised how good they can be. But we must play better than we did in the last game against Shildon - we have been too inconsistent."

Lawyers, sixth bottom, welcome back defender Carl Beasley, but midfielder Stuart Niven is banned and Andy Martin is missing because of injuries sustained in a road accident.

Shildon, two places and a point behind, have been boosted by the news that striker Wayne Gredziak has avoided a suspension, while they include new signing Daniel Moore, once of Mansfield.

Horden, sandwiched between Tow Law and Shildon with two games in hand, go to Bedlington without Tony Hall and Stephen Bell because of suspension, but Anthony Dobell, Darren Roulston and Darren Atkinson all return. Unchanged Bedlington can go second if they win.

Billingham Town have a tough home game against Morpeth. Defender Richie Ward returns to a full-strength side.

West Auckland, who are sixth, go to Dunston, who are two places above, and await a fitness test on defender Danny Shoulder. Dunston will give defender Mark Taylor a fitness test, while Chris I'Anson and Richie Pitt are ruled out.

Thornaby, who are seventh from bottom, need something from their trip to Newcastle Benfield to avoid being sucked into the relegation battle.

Striker Michael Jameson is missing because of injury. Benfield will give fitness tests to Phil Lumsden, Jonny Brown and Shaun Bell.

Relegated Esh Winning hope to give a delayed debut to full-back Allan Colledge at Chester-le-Street, but striker Chris Smith is suspended.

In the second division, leaders Consett, eight points clear, go to Spennymoor and have doubts over Carl Piecha and Ben Edusei, while Alan Oliver and David Johnson are ruled out. Moors have doubts over strikers Wayne Edgcumbe and Warren Byrne.

Second-placed Darlington RA, who are unbeaten since the start of December, are at Whickham, three places below them. The RA are without striker Steve Johnson, who has scored 13 league goals this season, and he will be replaced by Chris Creamer.

Durham Challenge Cup finalists Whickham are without suspended Kris Holmes and Adam McLane, but Peter Craddock and Lee Innes return.

Northallerton are at bottom club South Shields without suspended striker Steve Cochrane.

Crook, who have several games in hand on the leading clubs because of their Vase exploits, need to win at Washington, where they will be missing striker Danny Mellanby, who has damaged ankle ligaments. They include new signing Chris Walker from Guisborough. Washington are missing Richie Paxton and Gareth McKenna..

Third-bottom Guisborough, who are looking over their shoulders at the bottom two, are at Seaham Red Star and will give defender Mark O'Bern a fitness test. Seaham could make changes from the team that lost at Alnwick in midweek.

Norton can put another nail in Peterlee's relegation coffin at Station Road.

They will be missing suspended striker John Outhwaite but defender John Fielding returns. Peterlee haven't won in eight league games.

Wearside League Stokesley SC, after winning the North Riding County Cup with victory over Thornaby YC on Wednesday, are again on cup duty this afternoon when they visit Coxhoe Athletic in the quarter-final of the Sunderland Shipowners Cup.

Michael Wilson has recovered from injury but Ben Walker is suspended.

Stokesley, in with a chance of clinching the championship, hope to conclude the campaign with at least three trophies.

Birtley Town are also in title contention and for their tie at Cleator Moor Celtic manager Dave Smith cannot call upon Wayne Booth, but Tony Coe resumes.

The other quarter-final tie today is the Teesside derby between Wolviston and Teesside Athletic which has been switched from Metcalfe Park to Redcar.