Pickering Town now look odds on for promotion to the Northern Counties East League premier division after going ten points clear at the top of division one.

A 1-1 draw at main challengers Borrowash Victoria yesterday extended their unbeaten run to nine games and although it ended a seven-game winning sequence, it was still a vital result against the team most likely to catch them.

If the Derbyshire side win most of their six games in hand they could topple Pickering, but they must play their games in quick succession, and they also have two cup runs to complete.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Amateur did both Pickering and Borrowash a huge favour by taking three points off second-placed Hall Road Rangers thanks to a shock 2-1 away win, while the other main challengers for promotion, Mickleover Sports, did not play.

Pikes' boss Jimmy Reid said: "I don't really look at the tables a lot. I'm not worried about what anybody else does. If we do what we can do and win our games it doesn't matter what other teams do.

"We're not talking about winning anything; we've just go to do what we've been doing and take it from there. We're not going to change things now by looking ahead."

Striker Adam Wash got their goal yesterday, latching on to a rebound after Paul Wilson's shot had been parried.

Danny Farthing had a goal disallowed early in the second half and Borrowash hit the bar with a debatable penalty, before the hosts levelled about 25 minutes from time.

"We went there with the intention of not getting beat so we're happy with the draw," said Reid.

In the premier division, third-placed Goole were held to a 1-1 draw at Brodsworth Miners Welfare, while Harrogate Railway Athletic fell to a 2-0 defeat at lowly Liversedge, whose victory will go a long way to securing their premier division status.

A late goal saw lowly Buxton become only the third team to win at Flaxley Road this season and hosts Selby Town could have few complaints after another lacklustre display in the NCEL premier division.

Selby looked the more likely scorers early on, but the Derbyshire side took the lead after their first purposeful foray nearly 20 minutes in.

There was a hint of good fortune about the goal as Green collected the ball via a Selby defender and then saw his deflected shot loop of Matthew Potter in the Selby goal.

The Robins levelled on 27 minutes after they were awarded a free-kick on the left. Peter Collier's low drive through a crowd of players was pawed away by the 'keeper but Dexter Tucker reacted quickest to to score.

For most of the game, it looked like the score would end 1-1 but four minutes from time Smith headed home to give the visitors three deserved points.

Selby will need to do a lot better if they are to get anything from tomorrow night's hastily arranged trip to leaders Brigg Town (kick off 7.30pm). Harrogate Railway are also in premier division action tomorrow, with a rearranged trip to Sheffield against Hallam (ko 7.30pm).

In division one, basement side Tadcaster Albion will be desperate for victory tonight in their rearranged home game with Maltby Main (ko 7.30pm).

Wayne Day's men, who collected enough points during March to bring themselves within touching distance of the teams above them, have not won a game since, but victory tonight will give them every chance of getting out of the re-election zone.

Harrogate Town's unbeaten home run stretching back to November was comprehensively ended as struggling Kendal Town won 3-0 at Wetherby Road - not a good warm-up for Thursday's UniBond League Chairman's Cup final.

Harrogate hoped to complete an Easter double after Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Congleton, but Kendal claimed the division one booty.

Harrogate assistant boss John Reed said: "Our goalkeeper Rasti Martos was at fault for two of the goals and another decisive factor was two or three terrible decisions by the referee, including a penalty for handball.

"That said, the first half was the worst performance I've seen since I came here in November."

As reported in the Evening Press, Harrogate - going for their first trophy in 11 years - are expecting a bumper Wetherby Road crowd for Thursday's final against in-form premier division side Barrow (ko 7.45pm).

Selby Town reserves came from behind in sensational fashion to win the Barkston Ash Cup after an entertaining 5-3 final victory over South Milford at Tadcaster Albion's Ings Park ground.

Updated: 12:55 Tuesday, April 17, 2001