Pickering Town bid to land their first trophy in seven years tonight when they entertain derby rivals Bridlington Town in the second leg of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy final (kick off 7.30pm), writes Peter Martini.

Pickering's last silverware success was the North Riding FA Senior Cup back in 1994, and furthermore they have never won this trophy - solely for Northern Counties East League division one teams - in their history.

They have a great chance to do so tonight as a Phil O'Reilly brace gave the Pikes a 2-2 draw in the away leg last week.

They also have Richard Dale back in the squad after a two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury, while Jon Arundale is brought up from the reserves. However, Paul Wilson is struggling with a groin problem.

Victory for the Pikes will complete a fantastic four days after a 4-2 victory over Louth United on Saturday guaranteed them promotion to the premier division.

The only team who can catch them in the title race, Borrowash Victoria, came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at Gedling Town last night. 'Keeper Dean Lowe saved an 85th minute Gedling penalty.

Vics are now two points adrift with five games to play in ten days, three games in hand on Pickering.

Pickering Town: from Mitchell, Reid, Sturdy, Thornton, Connor, Morton, Gaughan, Farthing, O'Reilly, Wood, Wash, Zoll, J Chapman, Wilson, Arundale, Dale.

Selby Town have five games left in which to secure the top eight finish they will probably need to be able to defend the NCEL President's Cup.

If the competition takes the same format as this season, only the top octet in the premier division will qualify for the cup, which the Robins won last Tuesday with a 3-2 two-legged defeat of Ossett Albion.

They currently lie ninth, five points adrift of eighth-placed Thackley with two games in hand.

The Robins have had to rearrange their end-of-season programme thanks to the backlog of fixtures, but benefit from an extension to the season which gives them until next Wednesday to play their remaining five games.

The first of those games sees them travel to Glapwell tonight (kick off 7.30pm).

Armthorpe Welfare now seem safe in the premier division after their last-minute 1-0 win at Harrogate Railway last night.

Railway assistant boss Mick Margis said: "It had 0-0 written all over it but then there was a melee in our box. Ian McLean got a foot to the ball to clear it but it came off one of their lads and went in.

"It's disappointing, especially after we won at (third-placed) Alfreton on Saturday. We can beat the top teams but not the bottom teams - that's the story of our season."

Harrogate Town will look to end their UniBond League division one campaign on a high with victories in three consecutive home games, starting tonight.

Town entertain mid-table rivals Matlock Town this evening (kick off 7.45pm) and Radcliffe Borough on Thursday, and lowly Winsford United on Saturday.

Assistant boss John Reed has been critical of the team's form since their Challenge Cup final shoot-out defeat but wants to end with nine points out of nine.

Harrogate Town: from Allen, Martos, Atlkinson, Ball, McNaughton, Hudson, Ord, Bairstow, Hine, Shelton, Merris, Underwood, Richards, Elliott, Severn, Featherstone, Zoll, Singh.

Old Malton play Pocklington tonight in the final of the York FA Saturday Senior Cup at York RI's New Lane ground in Acomb, kick off 7.30pm.

Updated: 12:15 Tuesday, May 01, 2001