Pickering Town have won promotion to the Northern Counties East League premier division after a 4-2 defeat of Louth United.

"They did well and I take my hat off to them," said boss Jimmy Reid.

"There's been a lot of work done. The success has not come all of a sudden - we've been building a good team over the last two years and it's now all come to fruition."

Goals by Adam Wash, Phil O'Reilly, with two corkers, and Mark Wood won it for Pickering, who face Bridlington in the final of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy second leg tomorrow night (kick off 7.30pm). The first leg finished 2-2.

A free bus from York for any fans wanting to go to the game leaves the Millfield pub, at Millfield Industrial Estate on the York ring road, at 5.15pm. Anyone interested should ring Jimmy Reid on 07733-393945. All Pickering U19s players also have free entry to the game and should ring Jimmy or Gary Farthing (07946-608832) to say if they are going.

Meanwhile, the only team who can take the title off Pickering, Borrowash Victoria, drew 0-0 with Maltby Main on Saturday. Vics, five points adrift with four games in hand, play Gedling Town tonight.

Tadcaster Albion will have to apply for re-election as their 3-1 defeat by Gedling means they can not now get out of the bottom two.

Rich Howley gave Tad the lead but the visitors won it with the help of the woodwork at either end plus a disputed third goal.

Brigg Town are champions of the NCEL premier division but runners-up Ossett Albion have gained promotion to the UniBond League because Brigg's ground was not of the required standard.

Alfreton Town are going for third place but slipped up as they lost 2-1 at home to Harrogate Railway.

Chris Whalley and Phil Walker netted for Railway, who entertain Armthorpe Welfare tonight in a rearranged game (kick off 7.30pm).

Goole, also going for third spot, saw their game at Garforth Town postponed, while President's Cup winners Selby Town saw Eccleshill United grab an equaliser in injury time of their game at Flaxley Road.

Nigel Croad had given the Robins a 39th-minute lead, with Lee Margerison getting the leveller.

Harrogate Town's poor form since their UniBond League Chairman's Cup final shoot-out defeat continued as they lost 1-0 at Chorley in division one.

The goal, scored by Danny Mills, was a disputed effort coming in the penultimate minute. 'Keeper Paul Allen scooped the ball out, but the linesman ruled it had crossed the line. Harrogate's protests doubled when they were not awarded a penalty in the dying seconds after what appeared to be a handball.

Nestl Rowntree moved within four points of West Yorkshire League leaders Carlton Athletic by hammering Bardsey 4-0. Matty Wain, Steve Ward, Mark Watkinson and Elliott Simpson got the goals for 'Tree, who have one game in hand on Carlton, whose match was postponed.

York RI, level on points with Rothwell at the bottom, lost 5-3 at Wetherby, Lee Bartlett (2) and Joe Gaughan getting the RI goals.

Knaresborough Town travelled to Wakefield only to have the game called off due to an unfit pitch.

Pickering Town U19s' game against Eccleshill in the Northern U19s Alliance League yesterday was called off because of an unfit pitch.

Updated: 13:05 Monday, April 30, 2001