GOOLE went top of the Northern Counties East League after a 2-1 victory over title rivals Sheffield.

Paul Marshall's men moved ahead of Selby Town, who had a free weekend, on goal difference thanks to Pat Gaughan's brace.

But Selby can reclaim pole position if they win their game in hand at Borrowash Victoria tomorrow night.

Gaughan netted on 25 and 41 minutes with Rob Ward converting a 29th-minute penalty for the fourth-placed visitors in between.

Pickering Town's title hopes faded further with a 0-0 draw at Mickleover Sports, while Harrogate Railway were also without a fixture.

Tadcaster Albion, already without five players through suspension and unavailability, lost red-carded Dale Waddington on the half-hour mark for swearing in their eventful 2-2 division one draw at Retford United.

Alan Jackson and Greg Atkinson were also injured to deplete Albion further.

The visitors went in front, however, on eight minutes when Mick Harrison's header struck a post before bouncing in off a defender.

Retford levelled on 24 minutes and, although Albion keeper Tom Ryder saved a penalty with his legs, the hosts took the lead 14 minutes from time before Tadcaster earned a point when captain Steve Jones netted after substitute Simon Watson had hit the bar.

Harrogate Town's eight-match unbeaten Conference North run ended with a 1-0 defeat at Barrow.

Paul Pettinger saved a Gavin Knight penalty on 73 minutes after Leigh Wood handled in the box but he was beaten six minutes from time by Gareth Simpson. In between, Scunthorpe United loan signing Andy Brown had hit the post for Town after coming off the bench.

Updated: 10:48 Monday, April 04, 2005