Pickering Town have got their fingers crossed that a ground inspection will go in their favour to clear the administrative red tape from a promotion bid to the UniBond League.

The club, who have previously suffered setbacks because of the location of the Recreation Ground next to a cricket pitch, have applied to enter the league and are now awaiting an FA inspection to see if they make the ground or can make the required improvements in time.

Club chariman Tony Dunning said: "We got the application in before the deadline but the information didn't get through to the website for some reason but we have had the receipt for the cheque.

"We have a lot to do so it will be difficult to say what will happen but we have to win the league first anyway.

"We have got a fair bit to do at the ground so it's a case of seeing whether they give us a chance to get things right or not."

The Pikes will be hoping to go one step closer to part of their plan - winning the Northern Counties East League premier division - tomorrow when they host bottom club Borrowash Victoria.

Liam Salt could be a doubt after a car accident earlier this week, while Michael McNaughton is expected to make a return. He missed last Saturday's FA Vase 3-1 defeat at home to Brook House when his wife gave birth on the morning of the game.

The Pikes' marksman in that ill-starred tie was Mark Swales, (pictured) who will be aiming to find the target again.

Harrogate Railway continue their march at fellow promotion-chasers Eccleshill United, while leaders Selby Town look to get more points in the bag at the top with a visit to lowly Hallam.

In NCEL division one, Tadcaster Albion will be aiming to put their wastefulness in front of goal behind them as they play host to Rossington Main.

A flood of chances have gone by the wayside in recent games. Last week, seven players - including both full-backs - missed one-on-ones with the South Normanton 'keeper and the crossbar was rocked inside 30 seconds of kick off.

But it was a struggle to even get a draw in the end after South Normanton took a late lead.

But Jim Collis is hopeful his preferred 4-3-3 formation will start paying off with points to contribute to their promotion efforts.

Updated: 11:05 Friday, January 28, 2005