'TOP, top, top, top,top of the league' - it's a chant Harrogate Town boss John Reed wants to hear reverberating right through to the end of the Conference North campaign.

Reed remains in ebullient mood after his charges seized the pinnacle of the Conference following the midweek triumph over Stalybridge Celtic and erstwhile leaders' Alfreton Town's share-all with lowly Moor Green.

That combination sent the Harrogate hopefuls to the high spot on more goals scored, though Alfreton do have two games in hand.

But as Reed surveyed the rest of the Conference from the lofty position of top spot, the Town boss ushered in a note slightly discordant with the midweek acclaim.

On the vexed question of town's home support and ahead of tomorrow's visit to Wetherby Road of fifth-placed Altrincham, Reed warned that if crowds do not increase significantly Town's controlling influence - Bill Fotherby - may leave the club.

Said Reed: "It's such a fantastic feeling to be top of the pile - and yes I believe we are good enough as a team and a club to stay there.

"I just hope the public don't let us down now. For if they don't come now that we are top of the league then I think that we are in grave danger of losing Mr Fotherby.

"I am quite concerned that if they don't turn up then his patience will run out and that would be such a shame. If that did happen I think we would go back to being a UniBond League division one team."

Reed would much prefer to concentrate on glory-hunting than doom-mongering and he insisted that now his men were in the ascendancy they could stay put.

"Can we stay there at the top? Yes we can," declared Reed. "Not only do this team have a lot of quality and can play decent football as we have shown already this season, but they have a fantastic spirit. When you have got that sort of quality and desire then you've always got half a chance of success."

For tomorrow's clash against Altrincham Harrogate will have several fitness checks to make on a flurry of stars, who hobbled away from Celtic's Bower Field base with knocks and strains.

But if, as Reed expects, most recover, then he will likely persist with the three-pronged attack of Danny Holland, Mark Smith and Lee Morris, the latter recalled from a loan stint at Wakefield & Emley.

"We went for it at Stalybridge and I'd like to think we would do that again tomorrow against Altrincham," said the Town boss.

Updated: 12:30 Friday, December 10, 2004