Shildon manager Gary Forrest is hoping that his side’s enforced lay off won’t affect their chances in their much-delayed third round FA Carlsberg Vase tie against Midland Alliance leaders Coalville this afternoon.

The Railwaymen have a tough enough task as it is against a team that has won all but four of their league games this season, but the bad weather has also hampered their preparations – a sentiment which will be shared the other four STL Northern League sides in Vase action this afternoon.

“We were hoping to play at Benfield on Monday, but that game was postponed,” said Forrest. “That meant we hadn’t played since the Bishop Auckland game before Christmas, whereas Coalville played on Monday. However, we’ve still managed to train two or three times a week.

“We’ve had a report about Coalville, but we’re not going to worry too much about them. I’m more concerned about the way we play, and make them worry about us. We had a look at Workington before our FA Cup tie, and that didn’t really work out for us.”

Midfielder Danny Richmond will be missing because of suspension, while defender Gary Brown, midfielder Bobby Moore and defender Mark Foster will all have fitness tests.

The other Northern League teams make a fourth attempt to play their ties, with the fourth round just a fortnight away.

Holders Whitley Bay play AFC Liverpool at Hillheads. Keeper Terry Burke returns to the Whitley line up, but striker Glenn Taylor is unable to play as he appeared for Ashington earlier in the competition. Defender Chris Fawcett returns after injury.

Dunston are at home to Heather St Johns from Leicestershire, and manager Billy Irwin adds defender Kane Young and striker Andy Bulford to his squad on their return from suspension.

Billingham Synthonia make the long journey to Hereford in order to play Westfields, and have several concerns to consider before they name their side. They welcome back midfielder Andy Harbron after suspension, while forwards James Magowan and Colin Iley should also return after illness. But Mark Scott, Tommy Marron, Michael Jameson and Adam Clough are all injured, while Dan Newby will have a fitness test.

Ashington have a tough away tie at another Midland Alliance side, Dunkirk in Nottinghamshire, and apart from defender Paul Dunn, manager Gary Middleton will choose from a full squad.

In the STL Northern League, leaders Consett could have three new signings in their squad away to West Allotment.

Midfielder Mark Patterson has returned to the club after a spell in the USA, while manager Kenny Lindoe has signed keeper Peter Jameson, who has just been released by Middlesbrough. He is also hoping to receive international clearance for striker Steve Aiston, who has been playing University football in the USA.

However, they are still without striker Lewis Teasdale, who is due a knee operation soon, while Carl Piecha, Scott Martindale, Craig Robson, Gavin Ross and Dale Burrell all struggling with flu..

Allotment welcome back striker Marc Walton who has missed the last two matches, but Chris Jewells is missing because of injury.

Second placed Spennymoor take on Penrith at the Brewery Field, and they will still be missing keeper Craig Turns, so Simon Bishop will deputise. Striker Craig Hubbard and midfielder Alex Francis are also both out injured, while striker Chris Lawther is unavailable. Moors have made midfielder David McTiernan available for transfer.

West Auckland are at home to bottom club Ryton, who are without a win since August. Manager Peter Dixon is without striker Stuart Banks and midfielder Tom Berj because of suspension.

Fourth bottom Bishop Auckland, who have lost their last seven matches, are at Bedlington, and manager Colin Myers will give new signing Karl Everitt his debut, while midfielder Steve Salvin will have a fitness test. Bishops are hoping to complete a deal with Bedlington after the game for their former striker Wayne Gredziak.

Tow Law can climb well away from the relegation zone if they beat Stokesley at Ironworks Road. Striker Greg Halliday returns, but Matty Scott and Mike Hall are both missing and defender Lewis Harrison will have a fitness test. Stokesley, who are third bottom, two points below Bishop Auckland, expect to be at full strength.

Norton, who face Jarrow roofing, welcome back midfielders Nathan Mulligan and Shaun Clarke after suspension, but defender Steve Baker is still missing because of injury. Roofing, who lost 4-0 at Dunston in midweek, are strengthened by the returns of Dan Kirkup, Mark Elliott and Keith Oliver, while Mick Rodenby will have a fitness test.

Sunderland RCA have a local derby at home to South Shields, and manager Neil Hixon will give delayed debuts to new signings John Toft and Keith Graydon, but midfielder Michael Coghlan and striker Richie Logan are both suspended. Shields will be at full strength except for defender Paul Stoneman, who is suspended. It is only Shields’ sixth away game of the season.

Billingham Town are at Newcastle Benfield, and could field the same team that won at Esh Winning on Monday. Benfield are without injured pair Michael Chilton and Carl Paterson, while striker John Campbell is on the point of signing for Leyton Orient.