THE Northern League heartland beckons for Harrogate Railway tomorrow as their FA Cup adventure reaches the second qualifying round stage.

The Railwaymen have already steamed past Northern League duo Whitley Bay - albeit after the expense of a replay - and Esh Winning in the Cup already this season, and they will fancy their chances against a Chester-le-Street team who, on paper, should be weaker opposition.

The Durham-based club are struggling in their league and were sent spinning out the FA Vase at home by Eccleshill - a side Rail beat 2-0 in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

And Rail chief Paul Marshall has a good idea what to expect from his side's trip north.

"They will be very similar to Esh Winning," he said. "All the teams from the Northern League play to a similar style - route one and physical.

"Hopefully we can complete the hat-trick of Northern League victories, but it will be hard work."

Marshall is without Dean Wilson and Ian Harte, but Mark Watkinson returns after suspension. However, the former Nestl Rowntree wing-back looks likely to start on the bench following the impressive form of youngster James McDaid.

Harrogate Town have done their homework ahead of the visit of North West Counties League division one minnows Great Harwood Town to Wetherby Road.

Great Harwood should pose little threat to Town's bid to progress through to the third qualifying round, with a two-division gulf between the sides.

But Town boss John Reed is leaving little to chance, having watched Harwood twice already since the draw was made.

"Make no mistake, we are taking them very seriously," Reed told the Evening Press. "I've watched them twice - against Crook in their FA Cup replay and in the league.

"They are a very unorthodox team, long ball orientated and play a defensive 5-3-2 formation, so we will get the ball down on the deck and pass it about.

"I'll be honest and say that I'd be disappointed if we couldn't put them away."

Reed will be without the services of player-coach Neil Aspin, with the former Leeds defender ruled out through injury, and ex-York City man John Fielding.

Mick McNaughton, Scott Jackson and Paul Sykes are all carrying knocks, but are expected to be fit.

There will be more changes in the Pickering Town squad for the trip to Buxton as manager Steve Brown struggles to get a settled line-up.

Having seen his injury-hit side go down to their fifth straight defeat in the NCEL premier division, Brown will welcome back four experienced players.

Former York City defender Pete Vasey, who has had an impressive start to the season, Adam Wash and Alex Wilgrass should all return, while ex-Scarborough player Marcus Jones should shake off a knock.

Selby Town return to action at Borrowash after last Saturday's rest from league action gave them the chance to regroup.

The Robins were handed the weekend off due to the FA Vase, but they will come out all guns blazing as they look to bag their first win in the premier division.

Things really can't get any worse for Tadcaster Albion ahead of the visit to Yorkshire Amateurs in NCEL division one.

The club's 'week from hell' was topped off on Saturday when the Park-based side were thumped 7-0 by premier division outfit Eccleshill in the FA Vase.

But boss Wayne Day is hoping a win against their old foes from Leeds will be the catalyst to kick-start their campaign.

Updated: 11:07 Friday, September 27, 2002