Shildon manager Gary Forrest expects another memorable game when they face Spennymoor in their top four battle today.

Shildon were just edged out in a seven goal thriller last Saturday at Celtic Nation to knock them off the top of the table, but they can improve their title chances today if they beat Moors, who are seven points behind them with four games in hand.

“Spennymoor are in great form at the moment, and they had a fantastic win over Gateshead in midweek. We’re looking to show more of the character we displayed last week at Celtic Nation,” said Forrest, who will choose from a full squad.

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley said; “It's the second of three big games in ten days. Shildon are a very good side who are very dangerous going forward but so are we. I'm sure it will be a great game and these are the games either as a player or manager you want to be involved in.”

Moors include new midfielder Curtis Edwards in their squad after signing him from Thornaby, to whom he’d returned after a brief spell at Darlington. Striker Gavin Cogdon and defender Steve Capper both return, but midfielder Andrew Stephenson and midfielder Lewis Dodds are both struggling because of injuries.

League leaders Celtic Nation have a Cumbrian derby at home to Penrith, and they will be without midfielder Peter Murphy and striker Martyn Coleman, who are both suspended.

Two teams left in the Vase and could yet still meet later in the competition, Dunston UTS and West Auckland, face each other at the UTS stadium. Dunston, who haven’t played since early January, will be at full strength. West, who came from behind and beat Billingham Synthonia 6-2 in midweek, will also be at full strength.

Durham City include new full back, Paul Weldon, signed from Darlington, in their squad at home to Guisborough, but they will be missing keeper James Winter, defender Craig Ellison and striker Richard Offiong. Guisborough are without suspended midfielder James Risborough, while keeper Ben Escritt is unavailable. Defender Lee Bythway and keeper Danny Dixon both return.

 

Fourth bottom Sunderland RCA could do with the points at home to second bottom Hebburn, and they have a big injury doubt over defender Steven Baynes, while midfielder Jack Stanger will have a fitness test on a groin injury. Hebburn include new signing Aiden Bell from Benfield, but striker Kris Goss has gone to Bedlington.

The RCA are two points above third bottom Team Northumbria, who are at Crook Town. Full back Steven Hetherington is missing for Crook, but defender Alex Marshall is expected to return after a lengthy lay off.

Whitley Bay, who are at Newcastle Benfield, will give debuts to Tony Stephenson - -who was at Benfield just a fortnight ago – Callum Hope from Birtley and Chris MacDonald from Wearside League club Jarrow. Benfield include Jordan Mellish, who has already played for Bedlington (twice), Hebburn and Consett this season, and Ryan McGorrigle, signed from Ashington. Defender Steve Slaughter and midfielder Steve Stewart both return from suspension.

Ashington, who are at home to Bedlington, could include striker James Novak from Whitley Bay. Midfielder Martin Brittain has a fitness test, while defenders Ben Christensen and Scott Blandford return to the squad.

The game of the day in the second division is between fifth placed Heaton Stannington and runaway leaders North Shields. Captain Joe Wear is suspended for Heaton, but midfielder Andrew Weeks returns after suspension. Shields are at full strength except for injured midfielder Ben Richardson. Shields have won their last eleven matches since they were beaten at Chester-le-Street in early November Second placed West Allotment are at home to South Shields, and even though they have five players injured, will still choose from a squad of 18 players. Shields are missing defenders Dan Hall and Wayne Clarke.

Third placed Seaham Red Star, who had three points deducted last week, are hoping to make up lost ground at home to Alnwick, and they add midfielder Tommy English to their squad after a four month absence because of injury.

Seaham are looking over their shoulders though at Jarrow Roofing, who are at home to Darlington RA. Roofing keeper Andy Hunter will have a fitness test, but striker Dan Reeves is expected to return after injury. The RA are without Aaron and Andrew Ramsbottom, defender Jimmy Muir and striker Wayne Gredziak, but Niall Hanratty and Mark Sims both return.

Neither side can afford to lose in the game between two of the promotion chasers, Birtley and Northallerton. Birtley will be at full strength and include new signing Jack Nicholson from Brandon. Northallerton haven’t played a league game for five weeks, and expect to be at full strength, with possibly one new addition.

Tow Law are hoping to bounce back from their midweek defeat when they play Norton. Michael Hall and Scott Thompson are both unavailable, while striker Dan Wilson will have a fitness test. Norton have a big injury doubt over keeper David Knight, while midfielder Rocky Andrews is out with a stomach injury. Midfielder Michael Joseph is missing because of suspension.

Chester-le-Street are looking for their second win four days at home to bottom club Ryton and Crawcrook, and they add Michael Graver, Gregg Halliday and Stephen Telford to their squad, while Tony Healer is unavailable.

Second bottom Esh Winning are at midtable Washington, and include new signings Jordan Dixon and Paddy Wheatley. Washington are without striker Paul Kane, but otherwise they’re at full strength.

Stokesley, who are looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation fight, are at Willington, add striker Greg Peel and defender Kristian Kamara to their squad, but defender Dan Jones is doubtful. Willington welcome back keeper David Moffat and outfield players Jason White and Jake Cairns, but there’s an injury doubt over Aiden Goodey and winger Adam Sakr is suspended.

Thornaby, who are 16th, can take a big step towards safety if they win at Whickham, who are without Michael Hedley and Liam Barnett.

The match between Marske and Billingham Synthonia has been postponed.

In the Evo-Stik League Premier Division, Blyth are at home to Witton Albion