SCINTILLATING Selby Town soared to the top of the Northern Counties East League premier division after a dramatic 3-2 win at old rivals Goole.

In a lively start, Selby's Tom Matthews had a shot clip the outside of a post, while a Tom Reid cross grazed the crossbar as did a Matthew Wain header before the Robins went in front when Reid nodded home a Chris Kamara corner.

Just before the break Matthews raced clear but his shot once again rattled the bar. The Robins' dominance was underlined when Adam Wash increased their lead in the 55th minute with a neatly-taken goal.

Goole halved the deficit in the 69th minute through Steve Davey and five minutes later the hosts were level, Graham Whitehead heading in.

The Selby defence regained their composure and the match looked to be petering out to a draw but in the final minute Dominic Graham broke down the left and crossed for Wain to fire in the winner.

The high-flying Robins return to their Flaxley Road base tomorrow when they entertain Brodsworth aiming to cement their prime position, kick-off 7.45pm.

Goole's defeat not only lost them first place but also second when Harrogate Railway leap-frogged them on goal difference after they vanquished visitors Maltby 3-1.

Lyle Hiller drove the Rail into an early lead only for his opener to be cancelled out by a Darren Green leveller.

But it was a Ryan's express that came to the Railway's rescue. Scott Ryan bagged goals wither side of half-time to seal the points and put them within two of new leaders Selby.

The North Yorkshire day of triumph in the premier division was completed by Pickering Town.

Their revival in form under new manager Alex Mathie continued apace with a 2-1 win at Eccleshill. Ricky Greening struck first for the visitors, who then yielded a leveller to Neil Murray. But away-day glee was secured with a 20-yard drive walloped home by Mark Scales.

Ample revenge was gained in the NCEL first division where Tadcaster Albion toppled leaders Sutton 4-0 after the previous week losing 3-1 to the table-toppers.

Tadcaster had had an effort disallowed before Steve Ward pierced the Sutton defence with a goal in the 22nd minute. Wing prospect Matt Howgate doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time, and soon after the re-start Howgate was again on target to put the game beyond Sutton's reach.

Albion's ace day was capped late on when Andy Battersby leathered a 25-yard screamer into the Sutton net for Albion's fourth goal.

Updated: 10:52 Monday, December 06, 2004