Shildon manager Gary Forrest reckons today's first division relegation battle at Thornaby is his side's biggest game of the season.

Shildon go to Teesside in fifth-bottom spot, just one place and one point above their opponents, who haven't won a league game since January.

"It is a truly massive game," he said. "If we win, we go four points clear of them with two games in hand, and it gives them a lot to do to overtake us. The lads have worked very hard this season, and they must do the same again."

Forrest signed striker Kevin Shoulder from Sunderland Nissan during the week.

Crisis-hit Thornaby, who face a league ground inspection this weekend, will be missing suspended strikers Neil Campbell and Jamie Magowan. New manager Steve Todd has bolstered his squad by signing several local players.

In the second division, leaders Consett will be promoted if they beat Hebburn and Crook drop points at home to Alnwick.

Defender Damien Maw joins a full squad, which includes keeper John Mohun, who made his debut in midweek.

Hebburn striker Gary McCartney was forced to play in goal in midweek, and might have to do so again because regular Dave Carr has got flu.

Darlington RA have a big game at Northallerton who are one place above them in the second division.

The RA are hoping top scorer, 14-goal Steve Johnson can return after injury, while Northallerton, who lost their first game in nearly three months in midweek, are without full back Jock Williams.

Tow Law, who have won their last three, can complete their escape from relegation by winning at bottom club Brandon. Defender Carl Beasley is suspended, midfielder Stuart Niven and keeper Darren Horrigan return.

The race for second place behind champions-elect Newcastle Blue Star involves five clubs.

Billingham Synthonia, in second, take on full-strength Durham who are playing their penultimate league game. Synners are without defender injured Mark Sunley.

Dunston, third with games in hand, are at West Allotment without suspended striker Alex Benjamin.

Bedlington, in fourth, are at Chester-le-Street and have a doubt over long serving John Milner. Midfielder Paul Robinson is suspended, while Chester will give defender Elliott Milburn a fitness test, and Mark Errington and Robbie Houghton are added to the squad.

West Auckland go to Morpeth, where they won in the league cup ten days ago. Striker Lee Ellison is suspended, while midfielder Ian Maddison has an ankle ligament injury. Striker Mattie Moffat returns.

Billingham Town, who are seventh, are boosted by the return after injury of defenders Richie Ward and Andy Burton at third bottom Ashington, but midfielder Mark Scott is unavailable.

Former Hartlepool striker Stuart Irvine, who scored a hat-trick on his debut for Horden in midweek, faces his previous club Whitley Bay. Defender Sean Davies, signed from Durham City, and teenage midfielder Sean Ross, from local football, will also make their home debuts. Whitley include midfielder Damon Robson, who arrived in exchange for Irvine.

Esh Winning face Newcastle Benfield, and are without Craig Coates, Shaun Gregory and Chris Smith, but Paul Bellamy, Michael Thompson and Jamie Arthur return.

In the other second division games, full-strength Crook, who still have 11 games to play, are at home to Alnwick.

Kennek Ryhope CA, who haven't won in 11 matches to slip to third-bottom, need to win at bottom club Peterlee to avoid getting sucked into the relegation battle. Wayne Henderson and Lee Blackett return for Ryhope.

Second-bottom South Shields are hoping to take advantage of a Peterlee slip by beating Penrith. Former Darlington keeper Frank Johnson and midfielder Joe Taylor both return.

Guisborough face Whickham who have one eye on the Durham Challenge Cup final. Defenders Ian McGuckin and Mark O'Bern, keeper Kevin Martin and Lee Alexander return for Guisborough.

Spennymoor are missing suspended defender Andy Gibson, while they will also give striker Warren Byrne a fitness test at Seaham Red Star.

Norton are at Ryton, and include new defender Gareth Murphy. Ryton player-manager Warren Teasdale again includes himself.

Marske welcome back defender Mark James to their squad at Washington, but miss suspended Shaun Howes.

Bishop Auckland manager Brian Healy is looking for a morale-boosting home performance against Eastwood at Dean Street in the UniBond First Division today.

Bishops flopped badly against Goole in midweek, and Healy is looking for a more from his players.

"We didn't have a spark in midweek, and that's what I'll be looking for," he said. "It's very difficult to understand how a team can be so good, as it was at Fleetwood last Saturday, then so bad just a few days later."

Defenders Paul Griffiths and Graham Low both hope to return, while Healy is looking for another keeper because Simon Corbett is unavailable. Bishops have used over 60 players this season.

In the Premier Division, Whitby include Neil Radigan in their squad at Runcorn.

Blyth, who have a huge fixture backlog, are at Witton Albion, while Gateshead are at home to Burscough.