EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE

SHILDON manager Chris Hughes believes only a win at Division One leaders Bishop Auckland will keep alive his side’s title hopes.

The Railwaymen moved to within three points of the Two-blues with a home win against North Shields on Saturday – and Hughes now knows what it will take if his side are to continue pushing Chris Hardy’s men.

He told The Chronicle: “I think it is a must-win if we want to win the league and I think we have to win every game left this season if we want to win the league.

“At the moment, we are doing that, we’ve won a few games in a row and I hope we can make

Monday the game everybody wants it to be.”

The other key games at the top end of Division One sees play-off contenders Heaton Stannington and Birtley Town go head-to-head at Grounsell Park.

Both sides go into the game on the back of comprehensive wins – and Stan manager Dean Nicholson is relishing the challenge that lies in wait.

He said: “We are really looking forward to a good game with two sides that are having brilliant seasons.

“Brysa and Fos (Birtley management team Paul Bryson and Paul Foster) has done a top job and it’s guaranteed to be a tight game.

“We have lost one in ten and won our last four games so confidence is high – so let’s hope for a big crowd in, and they can cheer the lads to another huge three points.”

Elsewhere today, North Tyneside rivals North Shields and Whitley Bay meet at the Daren Persson Stadium (11am) and Seaham Red Star make the short trip to Sunderland RCA (midday).

West Allotment Celtic host Newcastle Benfield (midday) and Whickham host struggling Tow Law Town.

There is a Teesside derby as Boro Rangers visit Redcar Athletic (midday), while Carlisle City head to Cumbrian rivals Penrith.

Guisborough Town are the visitors to Northallerton Town (1pm) and Crook Town travel to the Wanted Stadium to face West Auckland Town (1pm).