HARROGATE Town boss Neil Aspin fully expects his side will need a victory to clinch a Conference North play-off spot at league runners-up Stafford Rangers tomorrow.

Stafford have already confirmed their participation in the play offs, which will kick off with first leg matches on bank holiday Monday and Tuesday, but Aspin also feels that might not necessarily mean Town's cause will be aided by the home team fielding a weakened side.

Three teams - Droylsden, Harrogate and Stalybridge - are embroiled in a battle for the two remaining play-off places going into tomorrow's final round of league fixtures.

Harrogate currently occupy fifth place and the final play-off position, two points ahead of Stalybridge and one point behind Droylsden.

But those two sides meet at Droylsden tomorrow and, with Town's goal difference significantly inferior to both their rivals, it means only a victory will suffice for the Wetherby Road men if an in-form Stalybridge side, who have won their last three games, take maximum points.

Adding more intrigue to the final day fight is the fact that the former Harrogate Town management team of John Reed and Mark Atkins are in charge of Stalybridge and former players Mark Barnard, Grant Black, Nick Buxton, Mark Haran, Paul Pettinger and James Turley are all on the Cheshire club's books.

Aspin will send a representative to Droylsden tomorrow to keep him informed of proceedings but the former Leeds United defender said: "I expect Stalybridge to win.

"They are on a good run and the momentum is with them but it is still in our own hands. We need to beat Stafford, who are already in the play-offs but that can work two ways.

"If they bring in fringe players, they will be out to try and get a place in the team for the play-offs so we will have to be at our best regardless of what team they put out."

Stafford are likely to, at least, give former York City veterans Neil Grayson, 41, and Paul Groves, 40, a rest.

Pickering Town and Selby Town's Northern Counties East League campaigns might have petered out but there will be local pride to play for over the weekend.

The Pikes play host to Selby in their final home match of the season and the two sides meet for the return match at Flaxley Road on Monday.

Selby warmed up for the bank holiday weekend showdown by losing their NCEL Premier Division Cup final second leg 1-0 against Buxton last night.

The Robins trailed 1-0 after the first leg but that was doubled to a 2-0 aggregate score by a 24th-minute goal.

Robins 'keeper Adam Mitchell reacted quickly to save the initial shot, but the deadly Buxton strike team followed it up and made sure.

Assistant coach Gary Cygan said: "We played the better football without a doubt but they made the most of their chances.

"We're very disappointed because we thought we could've got something out of it."

But despite the blow - and the end of Selby's hopes for silverware this season - Cygan said the team would be quick to pick themselves up for the weekend's double-header against their North Yorkshire rivals.

Updated: 11:11 Friday, April 28, 2006