Horden caretaker manager Bobby Orton says that he isn’t frightened by the task of trying to keep the club out of the second division bottom two.

Orton was handed the manager’s role following the departure of Brian Honour last week, and this morning his second bottom side faces a six pointer against Easington, who are five points below them with three games in hand.

Orton, who played for several Northern League clubs in his career as well as Gateshead and has been coaching in junior football, said: “The club needs a bit of help, and I’m not frightened to take on the challenge, I’ll take the bull by the horns, and give the club as much support as I can.”

Easington manager Andy Colledge has recruited several players in recent weeks, and the latest are a quartet from Crook – Paul Moss, Dean Fox, Robbie Taylor and Hayden Pace.

Darlington RA, who are sixth, are at home to Thornaby, and they are still without striker Paul Freary because of injury, while Tom Ptak is unavailable. David and Nick Harrison, Nick Lyons and Graham Whitehead all return. Thornaby include new signing Karl Garside from Peterlee in their squad.

Esh Winning are hoping to keep the pressure on the leaders by beating Crook at Waterhouses, but they are without midfielder Chris Smith, while defender Jon Jury misses the game against his old club because of suspension. Crook are under the control of new management pair Gary Pearson and Stuart Gooden, and they will be missing strikers Kevin Devine and Kyle Davis because of suspension.

North Shields are at home to fellow promotion chasers West Allotment, and manager Anthony Woodhouse expects to choose from a full squad, except for Kev Hughes, who is suspended. Allotment are without Chris Rue and Liam Ford, otherwise they are at full strength.

Gillford Park, who have lost only one away league game this season, are at Whitehaven and expect to be at full strength.

Northallerton, who are in ninth place just five points off the top three, are at Seaham Red Star, and they will be without defender Martin Butterworth, who is suspended, but manager Mark Fanning otherwise chooses from a full squad. Seaham welcome back defender Craig McManus, while midfielders Lee Peachey and Calvin Gowland are both fully fit again. Defender Adam Ward is missing because of suspension.

Leaders Team Northumbria are at home to Ryton, and apart from midfielder Dean Critchlow, expect everyone to be available.