PICKERING Town boss Steve Brown has targeted two more wins to ensure his side's safety in the premier division of the Northern Counties East League.

The Pikes have built up a seemingly comfortable nine-point cushion between themselves and the relegation places, but with eight games left, Brown feels his side still have some work to do to make sure.

And with a trip to third-from-bottom Hallam tomorrow, Brown will want the six points sooner, rather than later.

"I think we need two more wins to make sure," said Brown. "With just eight games left, the sooner we can get them the better.

"With Hallam just below us, we need to make sure we are not pulled down with them. It is important that we can win tomorrow so we can get some daylight between us and them."

Brown welcomes back Danny Farthing and Phil O'Reilly after they missed the 2-0 midweek defeat by Liversedge, however Alex Wilgrass and Dean MacAuley are both suspended.

Harrogate Railway welcome Danny Ames and Steve Haddon back to the fold as their run of fixtures continue for the Station Viewers.

Having already fitted in four games in the space of six games, Rail have to squeeze in four more in seven days.

They start their run at away at Ossett Albion in the NCEL premier division tomorrow, before welcoming Borrowash Victoria to Station View on Monday and then heading to Sheffield for their League Cup replay on Thursday. They round things off with a return to league action at home to Liversedge next Saturday.

Paul Marshall's men have been victims of their own success. They have been left with the fixture pile-up due to they historic run in the FA Cup, while they have also made strides in the FA Vase, as well as the NCEL's own cup competitions.

Monday saw them capture their first piece of silverware of the season with their two-legged victory over Bridlington in the Presidents Cup, and they are still on course for the League Cup version.

However, Marshall will have to patch up his weary warriors for league action, with the Rail boss still determined to record a top-five finish.

The return of midfield duo Ames and Haddon will freshen up the squad, especially as the in-form Jimmy Gore will be ruled out for the next fortnight due to work commitments.

Selby Town have the unenviable task of travelling to champions-elect Bridlington in search of points.

Brid, three points clear at the top and with a hatful of games in hand on their rivals, have yet to be beaten on their own patch in the league, but they will hold no fear for Selby.

Bob Lyon's men have proved that, on their day, they can frustrate and upset the top sides in the division.

Tadcaster Albion's end of season run-in takes Wayne Day's men to Hall Road Rangers in division one.

With a 12-point gulf between themselves and the safety zone, Taddy are doomed to having to seek re-election to the league for next season and have little left to play for other than pride.

The Wetherby Road faithful will get their first glimpse of new signing Lee Cowling when Harrogate Town take on Vauxhall Motors in the UniBond League premier division.

The former Nottingham Forest, Mansfield and Kettering left-back joined the club last week after being released by Kings Lynn, making his bow in the 0-0 draw at Wakefield and Emley.

However, Cowling is now set to make his home debut for the visit of out-of-sorts Vauxhall.

Striker Marc Smith could miss the clash, after taking a heavy knock in the draw against Wakefield, with Scott Jackson likely to step up from the bench.

Updated: 09:56 Friday, April 04, 2003