The Colliers are now fourth from bottom, just a place and one point behind the Cestrians. They also enjoy the advantage of having two games in hand on their rivals.

"The week-end result was crucial because victory moved us out of the bottom three and ahead of Ryton," said manager Craig Veart.

"At last, luck was on our side but there was nothing fortunate about Steve Thomas's stoppage-time winner. His goal was worthy of winning any match and it certainly lifted the spirits of the lads."

Kevin Devine, who was unable to play on Saturday, returns tonight and will also be available when Horden visit South Shields on Friday but he then begins a lengthy suspension which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Neil Campbell is currently banned but he may be the only absentee for the gameat Chester Moor Park which Veart claims is another six-pointer.

Chester-le-Street, the only side yet to draw, have lost 14 of their 20 games during which they have conceded 61 goals, the second highest in the Division.

Manager Stuart Sherwood has no fresh injuries to concern him but will not announce his line-up until just before kick-off.

Esh Winning's fixture with Whitley Bay has been postponed because the Waterhouses pitch is waterlogged.

Washington will attempt to arrest a losing sequence at Jarrow Roofing in the Second Round of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.

It promises to be another testing time for David Lee's side who, after a promising start to the campaign, has been in freefall in recent weeks culminating in a seven-goal mauling at the weekend.