Knockout specialists Kirkbymoorside are aiming to lift their fourth cup in two seasons tonight.

They are meeting Bishopthorpe in the final of the North Riding FA County Cup at Pickering Town's ground tonight. (7.30pm).

The 'Moorsiders won two competitions last season and lifted the Scarborough and District Harbour Cup last Monday.

However, secretary Mike Hodgson is denying they are favourites. "People keep trying to tell us we are but a don't agree," he said.

"Bishopthorpe have done very well to reach this stage and have beaten some very good teams. On the day they have got themselves up for it and have done very well."

But he added: "The nearest we've been to success in the County Cup was as losing finalists five seasons ago. I don't think we'll have a better chance to win it."

Leeper Hare York and District League outfit Bishopthorpe have gone into every County Cup match as underdogs and are relishing tonight's clash against the team who put West Yorkshire League champions Nestl Rowntree out after a replayed semi-final.

Bishops boss Jeff Morrow said: "We haven't been playing well since our semi-final win (2-0 over Edgehill), but we've had only one thing on our minds. We lost to Dringhouses (2-0) on Saturday and were awful. They kicked us off the park and we let them because none of our lot wanted to be out for this final."

As reported in the Evening Press, Bishops had wanted to play in the less-prestigious Challenge Cup but entered the County Cup by mistake. They had feared the standard would be too high but have stormed their way to the final, which was due to be played at York City's ground a fortnight ago but was postponed due to waterlogging.

Rowntrees had been set to meet them in the first-ever all-York final but were ordered to replay their semi after fielding a cup-tied player in the original victory and lost the rematch 1-0.

"I would hate to get beat at this stage," said Morrow, a former Rowntrees player.

"For the occasion we would have liked to play Rowntrees in the final, but we would rather play Kirkbymoorside from a football point of view because I think we've got a better chance of beating them, although they must be a good side."

The Moorsiders, mid-table in the Scarborough League division one but with games in hand, beat Hunmanby United 3-0 in the Scarborough FA Harbour Cup final last Monday, which was also played at the Recreation Ground.

"Pickering is a lot nearer to Kirkbymoorside than us so it will be like a home game for them, but we like being underdogs," added Morrow.

Defender Andy Fenwick, who is probably out for the season after injuring a lung, and forward Joe Gardham, who suffered a hamstring pull in his second game back following a three-month suspension, will miss the match.

However, registered striker Kieran O'Brien, who has been playing for Bradford Park Avenue in the UniBond League, is available to return.

Updated: 12:22 Wednesday, April 18, 2001