HARROGATE Railway last night became the first side to beat Bridlington on their own turf this season with a 3-2 win in the first leg of the Northern Counties East League President's Cup final.
Rail came from 2-0 down at half-time against the champions elect to set up an exciting second leg at Station View on Monday night.
A Steve Davey penalty brought Paul Marshall's men back into the game after Kevin Smith was brought down, and then young centre-back Greg Anderson scored a fine equaliser, breaking down the right wing, cutting inside and firing home left-footed. Jimmy Gore won the game in injury time, slotting home the rebound after Davey's shot was saved.
Marshall said: "We were dire in the first half but we showed a bit of character and the crowd - the barmy army behind the goal - helped us a lot.
"I'm pleased Greg got his goal - but what he was doing down the right wing I don't know."
Brid, unbeaten at home in the league for nearly two years, did not field their full choice side but Railway too had an under-strength team because of injuries.
"I always thought they might rest a few because they, like us, have played a lot of games," said Marshall.
"I was a bit disappointed it wasn't their full team but I expect they will put their best side out on Monday. We did not play that well as we probably thought it was going to be too easy when they saw some of their players wouldn't play, but in the end it was a good win."
Last night's match saw Railway begin a run of four games in six days, which continues tomorrow with an NCEL premier division match at home to lowly Garforth Town, and then sees Marshall's men play the home leg of the final on Monday and a League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
A victory for Railway tomorrow could see Garforth drop into the relegation zone so that match, too, takes on added significance.
A good run of form has seen Pickering Town climb away from the drop zone, and they moved a further point up after a 1-1 draw with sixth-placed Thackley on Tuesday.
But they remain five points behind nearby rivals Selby Town in the mini-battle between the two clubs.
Tomorrow the Pikes entertain Glasshoughton Welfare, while Selby play host to Arnold Town, who are one place behind Pickering in the table.
Pikes boss Steve Brown said: "We did not play well against Glasshoughton four or five weeks ago when we lost 2-0.
"We were tremendously poor in the first half, with zero commitment and application, and it was a low point of the last three or four months which has generally seen an upturn. We'll be looking to produce a much better performance tomorrow."
Danny Farthing is doubtful after twisting his ankle on Tuesday, but Phil O'Reilly is available again and Ben Rhodes, Mark Wood and James Drinkall might return after injury.
Time is running out on Tadcaster Albion, who need to start winning regularly to get out of the bottom two of NCEL division one.
They are five points clear of bottom club Staveley but are nine adrift of Worsborough Bridge with only six games remaining, starting with a home match against mid-table Winterton Rangers tomorrow.
Harrogate Town are without a game in the UniBond League premier division.
Updated: 11:24 Friday, March 28, 2003
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