PICKERING Town's Northern Counties East League title aspirations come under scrutiny on Saturday as they face leaders Brigg Town.

However, boss Steve Brown has played down the top premier division clash, saying it was too early to say whether it was a major test of the club's promotion credentials.

"Obviously it's a big game and it's these sort of games that will decide who will be up there at the end of the season," he explained.

"But I think the league is a bit unbalanced at the minute and it's around Christmas time that you will know who the strong contenders are.

"In terms of league positions at this early stage, they're up there and won again on Wednesday night, and we're going along quite nicely."

The Pikes lie third in the table five points behind Brigg but with four games in hand, and Brown said their record so far "is as good as anyone's".

Indeed, his side have lost only once in ten league games and they go into the match on the back of an nine-game unbeaten league and cup run.

Brown was also able to rest his first team on Tuesday night as fringe players and youngsters combined to give them a 2-1 North Riding FA Senior Cup tie triumph over Teesside League champions Grangetown - but he said his big-guns will return tomorrow.

"The idea on Tuesday was to have a look at some players and also so the first team did not get a hard game before tomorrow's match," he said.

"But they will be back tomorrow and it will be more or less the same squad as last weekend."

Fellow high-fliers Selby Town will be missing key players for tomorrow's match against struggling Borrowash.

The Robins, who have been leapfrogged at the top of the table but have games in hand on new leaders Brigg, will be without suspended midfielder Russ Barley and striker Andy Cygan, who will be out for a month after tearing a knee ligament.

However, Selby boss Bob Lyon was hopeful Stuart Lee would return and that Pat Render would pass a late fitness test.

He said: "For the first time since the second week of the season we are not top of the league. Now we have got to get over our problems and get a result, to try to keep hold of Brigg's coat-tails and stay in touch at the top.

"I've watched Borrowash's results, and they have lost to top teams by just the odd last-minute goal, so we will need to work hard and keep up our concentration right to the end.

"But I'm really gunning for a good result from this one."

Harrogate Railway boss Martin Haresign said he would be happy to take a point from lowly Liversedge as his side look to continue their resurgence under his leadership.

Railway have won two and drawn one of the three games Haresign has been involved in - he was not in charge for the defeat to Pickering, though it came after his appointment - and he is eager to keep that unbeaten run going.

"They might be low down the table but I know they're a good side," he said of tomorrow's rivals.

"Their manager, Eugene Lacy, was reserve team manager at Farsley while I was manager there. I'm surprised they're not doing better but when he has a full side out they are a good team and this will be a difficult one. They're a young side and they're getting there.

"If we take a point I would not be too unhappy but in the situation we're in we're playing catch-up so it would be nice to pick up three."

Haresign said his priority was to shore up his defence. "We've got to get a team that doesn't concede many goals and we can worry about flair later," he explained.

"We let in four goals two weeks ago, which wasn't good, but we won the game 5-4, and I have to be fairly happy with the way things have gone. We need to improve and bring players in but we have a budget to work in."

Ex-Huddersfield defender Chris Brown is set to stay in the side following his debut last week, and captain Liam Gray returns after injury.

Tadcaster Albion have a tough task tomorrow if they are to climb further up the NCEL division one table.

Wayne Day's men, who rose to 12th last weekend before being brought back down to earth with a midweek Wilkinson Sword loss to Hall Road Rangers, entertain high-flying Maltby Main, who have lost just once all term.

Harrogate Town could go joint top of the UniBond League premier division tomorrow if they get a victory at Stalybridge Celtic.

Alfreton Town moved top in midweek while John Reed's men were not in league action but roles are reversed tomorrow as Alfreton have FA Trophy commitments giving Harrogate the chance to draw level.

Second-placed Hucknall could scupper both and go clear with a win over Barrow but the Cumbrians are flying high themselves and should prove difficult to beat.

Former Halifax Town striker Simon Parke, a recent recruit by Harrogate, has joined UL division one outfit Guiseley.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, October 31, 2003