NULLIFYING Redditch United's powerful front men will be the key aim of Harrogate Town tomorrow in Nationwide North.

The strike pairing of Norman Sylla and Scott Rickards has been tormenting the Conference North defenders since signing for the Reds and have played a massive part in making Redditch one of the form teams of the moment and subsequently elevating them up the table.

And Harrogate Town boss John Reed will be looking to his defence to come up with the goods in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

He said: "They are very good up front but in our last three performances - not counting the last 20 minutes against Stalybridge - we have been playing excellently in defence, so we will need to keep that up."

Reed could be without two key defenders though with Mark Haran currently 50-50 after undergoing ultrasound treatment all week on an injury sustained two weeks ago, and Paul Shepherd is another doubt after taking a heavy knock to his shin.

Two big name signings are also in the pipeline as Reed looks to shake up his out-of-form wingers, who have struggled to get a good quality aerial supply to 6ft 5in forward Marc Smith, but nothing will be confirmed until next week.

Few changes will be made by Harrogate Railway boss Martin Haresign following their 10-0 thrashing of South Normanton Athletic last weekend.

The manager - who is still lacking an assistant after Ian Blackstone took up a playing contract from Harrogate Town at the age of 40 several weeks ago - has only pleasant selection headaches troubling him for the visit of 14th placed Hallam tomorrow.

He said: "We dropped down a couple of places to fourth after someone won midweek which means there are about eight teams all on similar points at the top. We've just got to keep winning really to stay up there and in contention."

Long-term absentees Danny Spence (shoulder) and Paul Stephenson (suspension) should start to come back into the reckoning from next week.

Second-placed Selby Town travel to 13th Liversedge to maintain the pressure on league leaders Goole.

Troy Bennett is poised to make his Goole debut after missing out last week with an illness. The experienced central midfielder has seen League action with Barnsley and signed from Frickley last week.

Dean Wilson returns following suspension, but Alex Bishop and Jimmy Gore are both out injured for their game at home to Arnold Town - one of two important clashes in the next few days with Pickering Town due to visit on Tuesday night.

Pickering Town are in second round FA Vase action at current Albany League leaders and reigning champions Dunston Federation Brewery.

The Pikes will pocket a useful £1,000 and a third round proper tie with a win and will be hoping to show familiar face Bob Scaife how they have grown.

Scaife was Mike Hodgson's assistant manager in the mid-1990s but is now in control of the Albany League high-fliers.

Updated: 10:19 Friday, November 19, 2004