HARROGATE Town boss John Reed has slammed the paltry turn-outs at Wetherby Road and has implored the town's football fans to get behind the club.

Town are flying high in the UniBond League premier division as they eye a place in next season's expanded Nationwide Conference, lying third, one point behind leaders Alfreton Town.

But gates are averaging less than 450 and have recently fallen despite the team's good form.

Reed said: "When we went second in the table last week we only got 387 through the turnstiles. I don't know what these people want.

"We can only say, 'Please come through the gates,' because we're closer than people think. The club would never survive in the Conference with these kind of gates.

"I think the fans have had a very good three years since I've been at the club, but I get a little bit annoyed when you think what they've had as far as success goes and yet we're getting just towards 400 in the gate.

"There's a 70,000 population around the town so it's not as if we're struggling in that department.

"I'm a very passionate bloke and I've worked my socks off. We've got things right on and off the field and people aren't supporting us as they should do."

He joked: "I know if we were down at the bottom people will be saying, 'This man's rubbish, let's get rid of him'. But I'm taking the opportunity to have a moan while we're near the top."

Town face a third v fourth clash tomorrow as they entertain jinx club Droylsden, a team they have never beaten at Wetherby Road in almost 20 years of the UniBond League.

"They beat Stalybridge on Monday and looked a good outfit," said Reed. "But we want to end this hoodoo. If my records are correct, we've never beaten them at Wetherby Road since this club has been in the UniBond going back to 1985. The only time we've beaten them was away in a cup match and I would like to lay this hoodoo to rest.

"I hope we get a good response from the crowd to help us."

Neil Aspin could return after injury but Scott Bonsall, who returned to training this week, is unlikely to be risked, while Robbie Whellans is still out. Mansfield loanee Craig Mitchell is set to continue up front.

Pickering Town visit second-bottom Brodsworth Welfare looking to maintain their good form.

The Pikes, who are at the top end of the table with only one league defeat so far, are expected to be at full strength, but boss Steve Brown has warned against complacency.

"They're not doing fantastically well but it's a place where we have to be professional in our approach and not be complacent," he said.

"We're reasonably pleased with what we're doing and I'm sure if we perform we can get a good result."

NCEL division one basement boys Tadcaster Albion face a tough challenge as they seek only their second win of the campaign at home to second-placed Sutton United.

Updated: 11:02 Friday, October 17, 2003