GOAL difference could be the only thing to separate the top five come the end of the Northern Counties East League premier division season with the runners and riders simply too close to call.

With only a handful of games left, the fight is on for the coveted promotion spot to the UniBond League and it could go any of five ways.

Current leaders Goole and fifth-placed Pickering Town, who are currently playing catch-up, both have their destiny in their own hands.

But with so many teams in the top five having to face each other, the possible permutations are endless and everyone is gearing up for a sprint right down the wire.

Goole boss Paul Marshall said: "It's going to be very tough. I thought 76 points was going to be enough but everyone keeps winning at the moment. The good thing for us is that our goal difference is worth an extra point.

"All four teams are real threats. Selby are in prime position, but Railway are only a game behind and are in form.

"All we are doing is focusing on our own game, and we'll worry about everyone else afterwards.

"We've just gone 450 minutes without conceding, which is a new record for me as a manager, so we've got to just keep it going."

David Watts and Steve Rollinson are both still injured for tomorrow's trip to Long Eaton United. Pat Gaughan is unavailable so Craig Gorman will take over in the midfield, while Phil Walker and Jimmy Gore are both doing well after returning from injury last week.

Pickering Town's long run-in starts with a massive test at home to Harrogate Railway tomorrow.

Railway have an incredible 100 per cent record on the travels this season, while the Pikes have hit a bit of a blip in recent weeks.

"I'm sure they will be fancying their chances," said Pikes boss Alex Mathie. "But having said that, we comfortably beat them at their place. There will also be a bit of pressure because we are both at the top."

Mathie has his fingers crossed that top scorer Mark Swales chooses the game to return to form after a recent dip, but is otherwise at full strength.

Looking at the run-in, Mathie said: "Anybody can win it if they put a good run together. If Goole win all theirs then they win it, but if we win all ours then we will be four points clear. It's really tight."

Railway have eight of their remaining nine games on the road, but with the best record in the league, that may prove less of an issue than first expected and have a chance to carve their niche in the standings with games against Pickering and Selby in the next two weeks.

Selby Town have got their fingers crossed that some of the sides around them will nick points off each other to clear the way to the top of the table.

Their fight starts with a potential banana-skin at home to lowly Armthorpe Welfare, without defender Tom Reid, who is out for the rest of the season with ligament damage sustained on Tuesday.

Joe Connor and Andrew Dawson, should both return from injury and illness.

Updated: 10:07 Friday, March 11, 2005