INJURY-BLIGHTED Tadcaster Albion will hope their luck changes when they entertain Eccleshill in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase tomorrow.

The Park-based club currently lie bottom of the Northern Counties East League first division, have already been knocked out the FA Cup and have an injury crisis that has robbed them of 12 players and left them to play the last 40 minutes of their 2-1 defeat against Gedling on Saturday with ten men.

This is on top of new signing Jamie Jackson breaking his leg four minutes into his debut for the reserves, with the extent of the injury meaning he will never play football again.

"That injury just about sums up our season," said boss Wayne Day. "The lad has made it known since towards the end of last season that he wants to play for Tad, then we finally sign him on Friday to help out and play for the reserves and this happens.

"We are just suffering from bad finishing in front of goal and bad luck overall."

But despite the apparent black cloud hanging over the club, Day has seen enough chinks of light in his side's displays to fill him with hope tomorrow.

Despite their winless start to the campaign, Tad have put in some gutsy performances and were unlucky not to topple Tow Law Town in the FA Cup preliminary round before going out 2-1.

"On paper, Eccleshill will be a tough game," said Day. "But if you look at our display against Tow Law, when we were unlucky not to win, then it shows what we can do.

"If we can perform the same way as we have been then there is every chance we can beat Eccleshill."

Taddy travelled to Gedling with 15 players unavailable for various reasons, but Day will welcome three back into tomorrow's squad.

Ben Pollard, Gareth Williams and Gavin McCune return after missing last weekend for the latter's stag party.

Cup specialists Harrogate Railway are hoping their victory over last season's Vase winners Whitley Bay will serve as an indicator to a successful run in the competition.

Rail needed a replay and the odd goal in nine to finally topple Bay in the FA Cup preliminary round, but boss Paul Marshall believes that victory should give his side confidence in the Vase.

The Station View club kick off their challenge in the second qualifying round tomorrow against Skelmersdale.

"This is a winnable game for us," said Marshall. "We want to do well in this competition, especially on the back of beating last year's winners (Whitley Bay)."

Dean Wilson will miss the tie through holiday, but Nigel Danby returns and will slot straight into the back three.

Midfield maestro Paul Stansfield, who studies at Liverpool University, is also available after missing the midweek win over Eccleshill.

Things do not get any easier for Steve Brown at Pickering Town as he prepares his side to face AFC Goole in the NCEL premier division.

Having already faced Bridling-ton, Brigg and Sheffield, the Pikes now take on Goole meaning they will have faced four sides with just three defeats between them.

And with the club plagued by injuries and unavailabilities, it has been a rough ride for the fledgling manager who replaced Jimmy Reid in the close season.

"We've had a lot of unavailabilities and injuries and these have just happened to coincide with our matches against Bridlington, Brigg, Sheffield and now Goole - and these are teams that have only got three defeats between them," said Brown.

Brown is hoping to strengthen his squad with the addition of two or three new faces, although nothing is likely to be completed in time for Goole.

However, the Pikes should have Pete Vasey, Adam Wash, Mark Wood and Phil O'Reilly all back, while Alex Wilgrass is another contender to return. Former Leeds youngster Chris Kamara, who had a trial with York City in pre-season, is also available.

With just two points from a possible 27, Harrogate Town will be desperately hoping for a return to form when they entertain Hyde United in the UniBond League premier division.

After a rip-roaring start to the campaign which saw John Reed's men pick up two wins and a draw from their opening three games, Town have suffered a slump in fortune.

Nick Richardson, Scott Bonsall and Scott Jackson all returned for the midweek defeat by Frickley and should all start again tomorrow, while Ashley Connor is available after suspension.

Updated: 11:48 Friday, September 20, 2002