HARROGATE Town completed a marvellous double over high-riding Barrow with a battling 2-1 victory in Cumbria.

The Yorkshiremen dominated the first half and took the lead on the half-hour through Robbie Whellans, who powered the ball home after being played in by Darren Beesley.

Whellans then scored his second - and decisive - goal just before the break with a 25-yard chip.

The hosts upped the tempo after the interval but the defence, with Michael McNaughton and Simon Sturdy superb, remained solid at least until stoppage time when Mark Salmon netted. It was what their pressure deserved but it was only a consolation.

Town's neighbours, Harrogate Railway, held Bridlington, second in the Northern Counties East League premier division, to a 1-1 draw at Station View.

Paul Palmer put the title favourites in front soon after the interval but five minutes later Kevin Smith netted an excellent individual goal for Railway.

Pickering Town moved four points clear of the relegation zone with a deserved 3-0 defeat of mid-table Eccleshill United.

Mark Wood gave Steve Brown's side an early lead and they wasted several chances before making the game safe in the last ten minutes through Phil O'Reilly and former Nestl Rowntree man Gavin Dickinson.

Selby Town were held to 1-1 by second-bottom Hallam.

The Robins went close in the first minute when Kris Baxter's shot was saved and Selby had to wait until the 44th minute before breaking through when an Andy Hart cross was headed in by Matty Wain.

Selby's lead lasted four minutes into the second half, when a defensive slip let in Matt Roney. The Robins struggled to create any chances and it was Hallam who came closest to the winner but they were let down by poor finishing.

Selby travel to Brigg tonight in a league fixture that has been rearranged due to Brigg's FA Vase semi-final next Saturday.

In division one, lowly Tadcaster Albion drew 1-1 at home against Louth United.

Updated: 11:25 Monday, March 17, 2003