PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall wants his players to shake off recent setbacks and finish the season on a high.

The Pikes have dropped 10 points in the last six games and now look destined to miss out on promotion from the Toolstation Northern Counties East League.

Leaders Cleethorpes Town suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Albion Sports on Wednesday night but still have FOUR games in hand on the Pikes who are second on goal difference.

Manager Marshall will not give up the title chase but admits that it would also be an ‘incredible’ achievement to finish second this season.

For the Ryedale club has finished second in the ninth tier of the English football pyramid on only one previous occasion – and that was 25 years ago!

The Pikes host bottom of the table Retford United tomorrow looking to bounce back from consecutive setbacks against Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Retford (away) in the last six days.

“There was a massive sense of disappointment in the dressing room (at Retford),” said Marshall. “I think the players realised it was a blip that we could no longer afford – but we have got to put that result behind us and look to win all our remaining games.

“No-one expected us to win the league this season,” he said. “The target was to finish sixth.

“We have over-achieved as a club and it would be incredible to finish second in this league for only the second time in the club’s history.

“There will be no change in my attitude and there can be no change in attitude from the players, who have done extremely well to get us in this position,” he added.

Eddie Birch missed a penalty in Tuesday night’s defeat 2-1 defeat at Hemsworth and Joe Danby was sent off for dangerous play.

Goals from Samuel Jones and Nash Connolly gave Hemsworth a 2-0 lead before defender Sam Denton pulled a goal back in the 66th minute.

Cleethorpes, meanwhile, are heading to Wembley on Sunday, May 21 after beating Bromsgrove Sporting to reach the final of the FA Vase. That game takes place immediately prior to York City’s FA Trophy final clash against Macclesfield Town.

Harrogate Railway Athletic will be looking to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat when they visit Hemsworth tomorrow.

Ray Green’s side are still not mathematically safe from the drop but are 12 points clear of the NCEL premier division relegation zone.

Selby Town, buoyed by a hat-trick of victories in their last three games, host Ollerton Town in NCEL division one.

Knaresborough Town’s play-off aspirations have been hit by three consecutive defeats. They now sit six points adrift of the top six ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Penistone Church.

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver will take charge of a National League representative side against the British Army in a special fixture at the CNG Stadium next Wednesday night (7.45pm)

The 16-man squad, which is made up of players from National League North and South only, includes four Town players; Liam Agnew, Chris Elliott, Marcus Day, and Tom Platt.

Town, meanwhile, are down to the bare bones for tomorrow’s trip to Kidderminster Harriers after Lloyd Kerry and Andi Thanoj joined Dominic Knowles and Louie Swain on the long-term injury list.

Defender James King could make his debut, however, after signing on loan yesterday from Bradford City.