PICKERING Town have started the rise out of the shadows into genuine Northern Counties East League title contenders after closing the gap on the top three.

Skipper Alex Willgrass believes his team could just do it this time.

The Pikes cruised past Goole last Saturday in an impressive 3-1 home win, which was made all the more sweeter by defeats for leaders Selby Town and Harrogate Railway.

Midfield general Willgrass said: "As long as we don't give them a chance to get back then - touch wood - I think we might do it this year."

The 28-year-old has forged a great partnership with creative central midfielder Brian Dutton - one of three key duos in the team. Left back Danny Brunton and winger Gavin Dickinson have an almost psychic connection on the attack, while player-manager Alex Mathie combines his years of footballing knowledge with the young talent of Mark Swales up front.

Willgrass added: "I thought the manager played well last Saturday. He holds it up well with all his experience.

"But the young lads that have come in have done really well, too, especially Seb Towse and Mark Swales who's only about 21. He's definitely going to be a star for the future. We've just got to keep passing and getting the basics right."

The Pikes face Arnold Town this week in a third consecutive league home game hopeful of maintaining their run and exerting more pressure on the rest of the top five.

Third-placed Goole, meanwhile, still without the unavailable captain Nigel Danby, know they must put last week behind them to keep their promotion ambitions on track.

They host mid-table Glapwell with a full strength squad. Jimmy Gore, who came off at half time at Pickering, has returned to fitness after a spell of hamstring trouble, and Mark Willoughby is raring to go despite having a number of stitches inserted last week after a kick to the head.

Out-of-form Harrogate Railway are also desperate for points in their bid to stay in the promotion hunt and travel to Long Eaton United with hopes of a break from their recent league defeats.

Leaders Selby Town should not have too many problems at win-less Borrowash Victoria but must be wary of the banana-skin potential of a hard-working team that almost scared Pickering two weeks ago.

Harrogate Town have signed young York City left-back Steve Baynes on loan for a month to cover for Mark Barnard, who is out for four weeks after going over on his ankle against Selby in the West Riding Cup. Baynes may feature against Ashton United tomorrow.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, February 11, 2005