Tadcaster Albion boss Jim Collis has called for more consistency in refereeing standards in the Northern Counties East League.

York's Collis is still seething over the referee's decision to send striker Steve Ward off in last week's defeat at Parkgate while taking no action against the home side, whom Collis claims should have had three men red-carded.

"Referees aren't consistent," he said. "If they make a mistake, then fair enough, but inconsistencies are getting too much. You get it all over in football, even in the Premiership, but it's not as much there."

Ward was sent off after a melee midway through the first half. The striker kicked out at an opponent while picking himself up after claiming for a penalty.

Collis said: "The referee, four yards away, picked him out on the advice of a linesman 50 yards away.

"I'm not condoning what Steve Ward did but if he was stamped on and kicked, which I didn't see, you can understand his reaction. Three players threw punches at him in front of the referee but he did not send any of them off.

"In the second half, one of our players was lucky not to get injured from a two-footed tackle and the referee did nothing.

"It takes a lot for me to blame referees but only one person lost us that game."

Tadcaster, who still head NCEL division one, conceded two late goals in the 3-0 loss, from which they are aiming to bounce back tomorrow away to Pontefract Collieries.

Ward will not play because of family commitments, while defender Pete Vasey (back, hamstring) is a big doubt.

Collis added: "The lads were very disappointed last week, not because we lost but the manner in which we lost. It won't be easy this week, even though they're near the bottom."

Harrogate Railway are eyeing third place in the NCEL premier division as they travel to Glapwell knowing victory would lift them above Pickering and possibly Sheffield.

With Rail manager Martin Haresign admitting Buxton and Liversedge are looking likely to occupy the top two places at the end of the season, it is important his side beat the teams around them in the race for the third promotion spot.

Railway welcome back Scott Bairstow, who has not played since before Christmas. However, Liam Gray will be missing for a second week with a thigh injury.

Selby Town face a tough home encounter with Sheffield, when a victory could see the Robins move to within a point of their third-placed opponents with two games in hand, as well as do Pickering and Railway a favour.

Updated: 10:22 Friday, January 20, 2006