Darlington RA manager Nick Harrison says that opposing teams are gunning for his promotion chasers as they prepare to meet Washington in the second division today.

The RA are fifth in the table going into this afternoon's game at Brinkburn Road, and could still sneak into the third promotion place to cap a great season.

Harrison said: "We need to approach the game in the right manner and continue to do the basics to a high standard. Easington were determined to beat us last week and it was a difficult game, I would expect the same from Washington, we are in a league position now where teams raise their game for us, our players must understand that, accept it and adapt accordingly, otherwise you drop points. Its as simple as that."

Harrison will be missing defender Dale Elgie, midfielder Steve Cheeseman and striker Paul Freary.

Two clubs who are also in the hunt for the third promotion place, Esh Winning and West Allotment, meet at Waterhouses.

Esh need to win to revive their faltering promotion hopes, and they have a six pointer at home to West Allotment. Midfielder Scott Richards is suspended, but Luke Wilson, Chris Smith and Stephen Oakley all return into the squad after missing the midweek defeat at Morpeth.

Allotment have only 16 players to choose from, and they're hoping that Michael Bell will be fit enough to return to the squad after a lengthy illness.

Birtley who are fourth following a great run, are at home to Alnwick and they have injury doubts over eight players, including keeper Andy Hunter and striker John Martin.

Chester-le-Street include four new signings in their squad for their away game at Thornaby. They have signed Luke Proctor from Crook, Ricky Fenwick from Birtley, plus Lee Cresswell and Kevin Huntrod from local soccer. Thornaby, who have won only once in their last 17 league outings, recall strikers Graeme Baverstock and Paul Thorns, as well as midfielders Danny Lofts and Jonathan Lake.

Hebburn, who are in sixth place, are at Whitehaven, where they won earlier in the season in the FA Cup, and maanger Paul Bennett chooses from a squad of 20.

Northallerton are at Ryton and Crawcrook, and they welcome back striker Carl Chillingsworth, and he will probably replace fellow front man Colin Anderson, who is unavailable.

Crook need to return to winning ways following their defeat at Gillford Park last week when Whickham visit the Millfield. Midfielder John Toft is injured and striker Kevin Devine is suspended, but keeper Marc Riches and defender Graham Liddle both return to the squad.

Seaham Red Star, who are third bottom and have played more games than the teams below them, have a tough home game against North Shields. Defenders Craig McManus and Anth Laidler are both unavailable, but two more defenders Peter Henderson and Mark Moon return after injury. Adam Drysdale will return to the side after returning to the club from South Shields. North Shields badly need to win to keep their promotion hopes alive, and they welcome four players back to their squad, Paul Dunn, James Harmison, Paul Watson and Mark Rasmussen .

Bottom club Easington are hoping to go one better against third placed Gillford Park, against whom they pulled off a surprise draw three weeks ago. Striker Simon Todd is unavailable, while manager Paul Adamson is hoping to sign a new player before the game. Gillford recall seven players who missed the midweek cup tie at Bedlington.

Brandon who have climbed away from trouble in recent games, have a tough home game against second placed Morpeth, and will be missing five players, but Chris Brown returns to the squad.