TRAVEL happy Harrogate Railway stayed in the hunt in the Northern Counties East League title race with an easy 5-1 thrashing of Eccleshill United.

Graham Marchant, Lyle Hillier, Scott Ryan, Liam Gray and pacy youngster Sam Warburton got the goals as the Rail made it 14 wins from 16 away games this term.

Railway can now move within three points of new leaders Selby Town if they win their game in hand and chairman Dennis Bentley said: "You don't know what will happen from one day to the next. It's still all to play for."

Pickering Town beat Brodsworth 3-1 to maintain their outside chances of the NCEL title, though boss Alex Mathie admitted their title hopes were "slipping away".

Goals from Tom Adam, Ricky Greening and Stephen Swales gave them the points last night. Pikes stayed 15 points adrift of leaders Selby but with three games in hand.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, April 06, 2005