Selby Town moved to the top of the Northern Counties East League premier division after a 2-0 win over North Yorkshire rivals Harrogate Railway.

The result, courtesy of goals from Russ Barley five minutes before the break and former Nestle Rowntree forward Matt Wain just past the hour, leaves Railway still searching for their first points at Station View this season.

Selby, who punished Railway for some defensive lapses, started the weekend in fourth position but with previous leaders Eccleshill in FA Vase action and Hallam beaten 3-1 at Goole, the Robins now sit a point clear.

They travel to Mickleover Sports tomorrow (ko 7.45pm).

Pickering Town moved up on to the coat-tails of Railway after earning their first league win of the season.

The Pikes were made to work hard for their win by bottom of the table Borrowash Victoria.

Former York City trainee Peter Vasey broke the visitors' resistance ten minutes into the second half but it was not until the dying embers that Pickering made certain of the win thanks to a James Drinkall effort.

The Pikes lie just one point behind Railway in 14th position but have four games in hand.

Tadcaster Albion remain bottom of the NCEL division one table but were still in celebratory mood after Wayne Day's side secured their first victory of the season.

The 1-0 win came in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase at Norton and Stockton Ancients, banking the club £300 in prize money.

Albion will have home advantage when they entertain Esh Winning in the second qualifying round on September 20.

They visit Lincoln Moorlands in the league on Wednesday.

Railway aside, completing a successful weekend for the region's sides were Harrogate Town, who moved up into third place in the UniBond League premier division with a 4-1 win at bottom club Lancaster City.

City upset their high-flying visitors by taking a shock lead on the stroke of half-time.

However, the dismissal of Lancaster 'keeper Kevin Welsby in the aftermath of Marc Smith's 50th minute leveller turned the game in Town's favour.

Welsby appeared to kick the ball at the referee's assistant in a fit of pique and promptly saw red.

Former York City, Blackburn and Wolves midfielder Mark Atkins scored his first goal for Town just past the hour mark before former Hull striker Gary Bradshaw made it 3-1 on 69 minutes.

Bradshaw completed the scoring and doubled his tally from the penalty spot seven minutes from full-time after player-coach Neil Aspin was brought down in the area.

Updated: 11:42 Monday, September 08, 2003