HARROGATE Town boss John Reed is still fuming over two refereeing decisions that saw his side's unbeaten UniBond League premier division run hurtle to an end against Droylsden.

Reed, whose side face Gateshead in the UL Challenge Cup tomorrow, ended up confronting Bolton-based official Jim Waring on the pitch after first seeing a controversial penalty awarded against his side for handball and then Simon Sturdy sent off for the offence.

And time has done little to calm the usually affable Reed. He is still fuming almost a week after the event.

Railed Reed: "It was atrocious refereeing, even their (Droylsden) blokes complained."

He recalled: "Their guy has had a shot across the face of the goal and Ashley Connor has made a great save but the ball has rebounded on to Simon Sturdy's hand.

"The ball did hit his hand, but there is nothing he could have done to get out of the way as the shot was hit so hard.

"The referee has given a penalty, which was bad enough, but he then goes and dismisses the lad.

"I was incensed and refused to leave the field of play and got reprimanded for it, but those were the worst two refereeing decisions I've seen in 27 years as a manager.

"I've never felt incensed and churned up inside."

Unfortunately, as Waring showed a straight red, Reed cannot appeal against the decision and now faces losing Sturdy, who has signed a one-year deal at Wetherby Road, for one-match.

Fortunately, Sturdy will be available for the trip to Gateshead, with only Paul Sykes missing the tie.

Jamie Horsely has finally got international clearance to rejoin the club, but will play for Ossett Albion on loan in attempt to regain his match fitness, while Robbie Pell who has also been given the international green light, has opted to join Southport after being handed a three-month contract with the Conference side.

Former York City striker Iain Dunn has returned to light training following a groin operation as he looks to force his way back into the Town squad.

Harrogate Railway are making up for lost time in the Northern Counties East League premier division and are just loving it.

Having made their mark on the FA Cup with their free-scoring exploits, Rail, after an enforced break due to the weather, have taken this form into the league - with Glapwell next in their way.

Despite lying 15th in the table, Paul Marshall's men are not out of the title race yet as they still boast a staggering seven games in hand on the leaders.

Ian Hart and Shaun Constable both miss the tie and face eight and four weeks respectively on the sidelines through injury, but midfielder Steve Haddon is poised to break back into the side.

Glapwell do boast former England international Chris Waddle among their number, with the veteran winger poised to make the trip to Station View.

Pickering Town will look to put their FA Vase disappointment behind them and at the same time attempt to breathe life into their flagging league campaign.

The Pikes travel to Sheffield tomorrow on the back of their 3-2 home defeat against St Blazey in the fourth round of the Vase.

With the spectre of relegation still a serious threat, manager Steve Brown's charges need to start picking up points and quick.

Also too close for comfort to the drop zone are Selby Town.

The Robins next face a tricky outing to Eccleshill, who are notoriously difficult to break down at home.

In the NCEL first division, Tadcaster Albion are in danger of being cast adrift in the re-election places unless they can recapture the form that saw them pick up ten points out of a possible 15 earlier in the season.

Wayne Day's battlers travel to Louth tomorrow, knowing that a maximum points haul will keep them in touch of the sides in the safety places.

Updated: 10:30 Friday, January 24, 2003