Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett says that his team still has a chance of avoiding the drop into the second division when they face Consett at Bedford Terrace today.

After looking down and out a month ago, Town have won four out of their last six matches, and are just a point off safety in third bottom going into today’s game.

“We produced one of our best team performances of the season last Monday when we beat Bedlington, and if we keep producing performances like that, then we’ve got a chance of avoiding the drop,” he said. “I was especially pleased that we kept a clean sheet, we need to keep more of those.”

Keeper Danny Molyneux returns after injury, along with defender Danny Wray, but another defender, Alan Cosavella, is missing.

Consett will have almost a full squad, except for defender David Scorer who is injured.

Marske United, who are just two points off the bottom, are at home to Durham City, and manager Ted Watts will be missing midfielder Bryan Stewart and defender Alex Dougall, while Josh Myers will have a fitness test.

Durham, who might still need a couple of points to be safe, have several players out injured, and manager Adam Furness is trying to sign some cover.

West Auckland include new full back Kieran Edwards, signed from Billingham Synthonia, in their squad at Guisborough, otherwise manager Peter Dixon chooses from a full squad. West, who are currently second, could go seven points clear of third placed Spennymoor if they win, but they have played nine games more. Guisborough include keeper Shane Bland, recently signed from Newton Aycliffe, but they have four players injured, and another, midfielder Marty O’Riordan, missing.

Bishop Auckland are at Hebburn looking for their tenth away win of the season, and manager Colin Myers welcomes back striker Dan Hawkins, while there are fitness tests for striker Dale Jardine and midfielders Stephen Salvin and Craig Hodgson. Hebburn manager Paul Bennett will choose from a full squad.

Dunston, who are in fifth place, are at home to Celtic Nation, have injury doubts over midfielder Dale Burrell and top scorer Andy Bulford. Celtic Nation are without several players because they are having a stag weekend, which means that manager Steve Skinner only has a small squad to choose from.

Ashington, who reached the Northumberland Senior Cup final in midweek, are at home to second bottom South Shields, and they will be missing strikers David Molloy and Phil Bell because of injury. Shields, who had two men sent off in midweek, will be at full strength except for midfielder Andrew Thompson who is unavailable.

In the other first division game, fifth bottom Penrith are at home to Bedlington In the second division, leaders Crook Town are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and are missing unavailable defender Chris Pearson, while strikers Kyle Davis and David Paul are both suspended.

Second placed Ryhope CW make their first ever visit to Tow Law, where the game is in severe doubt because of the recent snow.

Keeper Chris Rookes plus outfield players Clayton Davies and James Cook return, but Greg Swansbury and Nathan Johnson are both missing.

Jarrow Roofing, in third, are at home to Birtley, and they welcome back striker Liam McBryde who missed the midweek 6-4 win over Brandon. Birtley welcome back Andy Hunter, but Chris Smith, Ally Downey and Steve Graham are all missing.

Seaham Red Star, who have started a revival after a poor run of form, are at home to Morpeth whom they beat 3-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the week.

Darlington RA, who are in fourth, are at Chester-le-Street, and manager Nick Harrison could choose an unchanged side. Chester will give a debut to striker Anthony Lee, signed during the week from Tow Law, but Michael Robson is out because of suspension.

New Northallerton manager Peter Mulcaster takes charge of his first home league game in his third spell when they entertain third bottom Alnwick, and he adds Ian Smurthwaite and Colin Anderson to his squad.

There’s a big game near the bottom of the table, where fourth bottom Stokesley are at home to bottom club Horden, and Stokesley welcome five players back into their squad. Phil Naisbett takes charge of Horden for the first time, having taken over from Darren Atkinson in midweek.

In the other games, second bottom Esh Winning need to take something from their away trip to Whitehaven, while Whickham take on Thornaby and Brandon face Washington.

In the Evostik League, Blyth travel down to Derbyshire to face Ilkeston, and Whitby are at home to Chorley.