HARROGATE Town boss John Reed will ring the changes to his defence for Saturday's trip to fellow high-flyers Barrow after "schoolboy mistakes" in last weekend's 4-4 draw with Droylsden.

Reed will definitely reinstall former Leeds United and Port Vale centre-back Neil Aspin into his back line for the Unibond League premier division clash but his bid to further stiffen his defence with the acquisition of Hull City's Nathan Peat has failed after the Tigers turned down a loan move.

Peat is required at the KC Stadium because fellow left-back Sean Smith has been loaned out to Division Three strugglers Carlisle.

Player-coach Aspin will be brought in to counter the threat of former Doncaster Rovers and Scarborough target-man Neil Campbell as Reed looks to eradicate the sloppiness that cost his fourth-placed team maximum points last week.

He said: "We should have won easily but defended like kids. We must stop making schoolboy mistakes.

"The two penalties we conceded were pathetic, another goal came because of a lack of concentration from Mick McNaughton and another because of a goalkeeping error when I could have thrown my hat on the ball to stop it.

"Someone will have to pay for that performance. Neil Aspin will definitely play and he has a specific job of keeping Neil Campbell, their 6ft lad, quiet."

Reed will otherwise choose from a squad of 19 with long-term casualties Robbie Whellens, Scott Bonsall and Richard Dunning the only absentees.

Third-placed Barrow, like Harrogate, have played 16 games and accumulated 29 points but Reed pointed out the differences between the two clubs off the pitch, saying: "They are a very good side as they should be. They are one of the big money men because of the crowds they get.

"On the pitch they do not have any weaknesses and we will have to play well."

Northern Counties East League premier division title hopefuls Pickering Town entertain Glapwell but will be without right-back Tom Reid, who has left for Goole, where his father Jimmy is the new joint-manager.

Striker Adam Wash has also joined former Pikes boss Reid at Goole, having failed to hold down a first-team shirt this season.

Pickering manager Steve Brown is happy with the cover he has at full-back and is not looking for a replacement for Reid.

He said: "We are very sorry Tom's gone because he is a quality player who has done well for us but I understand why he wants to leave and we have parted on good terms. We also appreciate what Adam has done for the club."

Pickering, who have won six and drawn one of their last seven games, are four points behind leaders Selby but have two games in hand.

The Mill Lane club also have three games in hand on second-placed Brigg Town, who they trail by just two points.

Glapwell are ninth in the table but are one of just three teams still boasting an unbeaten away record.

Former York City striker Ian Blackstone is doubtful for Harrogate Railway's home match with fifth-placed Eccleshill United.

Blackstone has not played since returning to Station View for the 1-0 victory against Goole when he also got the only goal of the game.

A back injury could mean he misses out again, along with Chris Howarth, who is on holiday.

Centre-back Michael Ord is suspended after his red card at Pickering and faces a lengthy lay-off as he also requires an operation.

Railway boss Martin Haresign will be looking for a third straight home victory since taking charge after the club lost their opening four fixtures at Station View, leading to the departure of the previous management team.

Eccleshill won 3-1 at Hallam in midweek to enjoy their fifth away success of the season and no other premier division team has won more games on their travels.

In division one, Tadcaster Albion can go above unbeaten visitors Gedling Town despite having already lost six games this season.

Gedling have only played five matches and a victory for Tad would see them leapfrog their 14th-placed opponents.

Updated: 11:17 Friday, October 24, 2003