LONG-TERM Pickering Town injury victim Alex Willgrass is back in a blue shirt - but he may miss tomorrow's Northern Counties East League premier division clash with Mickleover Sports to be on the safe side.

The captain played his first game of the season on Wednesday in a physical encounter with Sheffield and came through it pretty much unscathed.

But player-boss Alex Mathie may opt to give him a breather before Tuesday's game.

He said: "He played well and it was good to see him back - all the lads were pleased to see him too.

"It all depends on how he is feeling now but I don't think he will be involved on Saturday, we'll probably save him for Tuesday."

Pickering are gunning all out to take third place - the highest place left up for grabs behind runaway leaders Buxton and second-placed Liversedge - and Mathie is confident they can deliver.

He said: "We have got to win all our games now if we want to finish third and hope Sheffield slip up along the way so it's up to us to get the points and see how far we get."

Harrogate Railway could help the Pikes hit their third-place ambition with a win over Sheffield which would in turn put them in the top three.

The Rail have scored two goals in every game so far this month, so getting the ball in the net will be no issue for Martin Haresign's side.

Safety for UniBond League division one team Goole is within their own hands - but it won't make it any easier with as many as seven teams scrapping to avoid the drop.

Bishop Auckland cannot now finish above the Vikings, but Spalding United, Warrington, Ossett Albion and Goole are all embroiled in it.

Goole take on mid-table Bamber Bridge tomorrow, who have nothing to play for but pride.

Two wins out of two is the target for Tadcaster Albion in division one of the NCEL to keep themselves in the top four ready to pounce on any mistakes that could put them second and up.

Tomorrow they take on Pontefract Collieries at home with Andy Battersby, Matty Wain and Mark Brady all back available for selection.

Selby Town'S game at NCEL premier division leaders Buxton was postponed last night because the Silverlands pitch was waterlogged.

LAST NIGHT'S FOOTBALL

UEFA Cup

Semi-finals first leg: Schalke 04 0, Seville 0; Steaua Bucharest 1, Middlesbrough 0.

Nationwide North

Lancaster City 0, Workington 1.

UniBond League

Premier div: Matlock v Frickley Athletic postponed; Ilkeston 2, Witton Albion 0.

Div 1: Bishop Auckland 2, Warrington 0; Rossendale Utd 2, Woodley Sports 3; Stocksbridge Park Steels 2, Kidsgrove Ath 0.

Northern Counties East League

Premier div: Buxton v Selby Town postponed.

Pontin's Holidays Insurance League

Div 1 East: Doncaster 1 York City 0.

Updated: 10:27 Friday, April 21, 2006