Harrogate Town boss Mick Hennigan is refusing to get carried away by his team's run of form despite seeing them lose just once in ten outings.

His side have climbed clear of the UniBond League division one relegation zone but, rather than set new goals, his only aims this season are to avoid the drop.

Indeed, a win against Belper Town tomorrow could lift them into the top half of the table, but Hennigan remains adamant they are not yet out of the woods.

"Credit is due to the lads," he told the Evening Press.

"They're listening and learning and doing their best and we can't ask for any more than that. As long as they keep trying to do their best that will keep me happy."

Town are seven places above the bottom three but only six points clear, and Hennigan added: "My hopes are simply to stay in this league. I think we're still in the woods."

Chairman Bill Fotherby agreed that their plans this term were to consolidate their status following a terrible start in which they lost all their opening six games prior to Hennigan's arrival at the helm. "My hopes for this season were dashed in the first six to eight weeks," he said.

"We're wanting now to learn the lessons in readiness for a promotion push next season."

Pickering Town's promotion push comes under severe scrutiny tomorrow when in-form Borrowash Victoria visit the Recreation Ground.

In what is the biggest game of the day in the Northern Counties East League, the Pikes, who head division one, entertain the in-form Vics, who have dropped just three points all season and have a number of games in hand.

"It's another massive game for us," said Pickering boss Jimmy Reid.

"They've played nine and won eight, conceding just six goals. They're still in the league cup and county cup and have only just been knocked out of the FA Vase, so they're obviously a decent team."

The Pikes have a doubt over striker Mark Wood, whose back injury forced him to be substituted in the 1-1 draw with Worsborough last week, but fit-again Alex Wilgrass was back in training this week and, if free of other commitments, could feature.

"There will be a few more people down watching and we're hoping we will rise to the occasion," added Reid.

"If we play to our capabilities we're a very good team too, so it will be very interesting."

Struggling Tadcaster Albion could do both Pickering and Borrowash a favour by taking points off high-riding Mickleover Sports.

Boss Wayne Day has goalkeeper Carl Forrester back again after unavailability, but Mark Hick has work commitments and defender Paul James is doubtful with an ankle injury.

Richard Howley will return to the attack to partner Steve Batley after impressing in the reserves, while midfielders Richard Horsley and James Jollands also step up after good displays in the second team.

Meanwhile, Albion hope to be able to start playing home games again from mid-February onwards.

The club have not been able to use their Ings Park ground ever since it was ruined in the October floods. But Day, who is also the club's vice-chairman, said they hoped the clubhouse renovation would be finished by early February, with fixtures and fittings, changing rooms and pitch repairs completed for use later in the month.

Selby Town bid to avenge an early season drubbing as they face the NCEL premier division leaders.

The Robins, who defeated Brigg Town when they headed the premier division table in December, will want to do the same to Ossett Albion, who took over at the top last weekend.

They will also want to avenge a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the promotion-chasers early in the campaign. They had led that game 1-0 but saw Ossett go nap after Paul Roberts was sent off in the second half.

Harrogate Railway will look to extend their nine-match unbeaten run when they entertain Sheffield, while Goole visit Buxton.

In the rearranged WYL premier division programme, Wetherby Athletic entertain Sandy Lane, while Knaresborough Town visit Bardsey. Lee Shaw, Phil Kitching and Dale Latimer all missed Boro's Whitworth Cup shoot-out success over Wetherby last week through injury but should be fit tomorrow.

Basement side York RI are in Premier Division League Cup action, with a first round tie at Whitkirk Wanderers (1.45pm ko).

Colin Raynor returns from holiday but hamstring injury victim Chris Rowan is still out and boss John Raynor is hopeful there won't be more late withdrawals by any of his squad. "Five players ended up having to work last Saturday so it was a good job the game (at Sandy Lane) was called off," he said.

Updated: 12:03 Friday, January 26, 2001