PATCHY Pickering Town pick up the FA Cup baton tomorrow as team orchestrator Steve Brown's future remains in doubt.

At his own instigation Brown has proposed standing down as manager of the Pikes, who have made a laboured start to the new Northern Countries East League premier division campaign.

Ahead of tomorrow's preliminary round tie at home to Northern League outfit Bedlington Town, he reiterated to the Evening Press that he would have 'no problem' if new blood was to come in.

It's hardly the best preparation for the Pikes' bid to register their first win of the term and hopefully embark on a lucrative FA Cup run with an away trek to Gateshead being the incentive should they see off tomorrow's visitors to the Recreation Ground.

But it's the way it is, insisted Brown. "My position is currently under review and I have instigated that because I feel there is a need to have a bit of a change," he said.

"There's so much to do that it might be better if someone else comes in. If that means me standing down, then that's fine, though I would like to stay on in some capacity at the club."

Pickering have lost both opening NCEL fixtures leaving them as one of just three clubs without a point at the foot of the table.

Of tomorrow's opposition he knew little other than Bedlington have had an in and out start to their season, but declared the Pikes' manager: "It's more about us now. We know if we play well and play to our potential then we will give them a good game. We need to restore some pride."

That restoration act will be attempted without striker Alex Wilgrass, who is still suspended, and utility player Matthew Morton, who is unavailable. NCEL premier division rivals Harrogate Railway have endured an even worse start to the season suffering three successive defeats, so manager Martin Haresign was hoping the FA Cup opener at home to Esh Winning would be a diversion.

"We had an exceptional pre-season and people were talking about our potential to win the league," said the Rail leader.

"Maybe we believed our own publicity. Looking around the changing-room all our players have great ability and have all played at a higher level, but we haven't got going.

"A break from the league might do us good. If we knuckle down this might give us a kick start."

Two wins and two losses comprise Selby Town's start to the NCEL premier flight ahead of their FA Cup opener in which the Robins make a preliminary round trip to Mossley.

Updated: 10:13 Friday, September 03, 2004