HARROGATE Railway brushed aside the ineffectual challenge of Unibond side Workington in the FA Cup third qualifying round, with a comfortable 4-0 win which could have been even more emphatic.

Of the sensational triumph Railway boss Paul Marshall said: "It was a bit surreal really and without being disrepectful to Workington, it was a bit of a walk in the park."

Railway, who lost to Morecambe in the fourth qualifying round last year, have now pocketed £26,000 from this year's Cup exploits and scored two goals in each half.

Kevin Smith nipped in at the far post to side-foot the first and defender Danny Ames rose to head in from a corner a few minutes later.

Ames repeated the feat midway through the second half and Smith got his second goal with a crisp shot from the edge of the penalty area two minutes from time.

Workington never mustered a serious effort on target all afternoon, whereas their goalkeeper Steven Pape made half a dozen superb saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Railway did have to defend, but Dean Wilson, Nigel Danby and Ames snuffed out any potential danger.

"It must be the FA Cup. I only have to give them a couple of one-liners and off they go," said Marshall, who has now guided his men into the fourth qualifying round - equalling the club record - for the second season in succession.

Also still in the hat with Railway are neighbours Harrogate Town, who defied the odds and the doubters to force a replay from previously unbeaten UniBond League premier division leaders Accrington Stanley.

But it was not so much a case of Town prising a goal-less draw from the trip to the Crown Ground.

If they had had more than an ounce of luck they would have been celebrating a fanous victory rather than preparing for a replay at Wetherby Road tomorrow, kick-off 7.45pm.

Enthused manager John Reed: "It was a fabulous result when you consider the record Accrington Stanley have established already this season.

"I think they thought that because of our lowly position we would pack our defence. But we had a right go at them, playing three up front."

With winger Colin Hunter the main threat as he constantly tore through the Accrington defence Town came the closest to breaking the deadlock with a snap-shot from Simon Sturdy which grazed an upright.

Town goalkeeper Ashley Connor was exercised seriously only once such was the stoutness of a defence marshalled magnificently by Michael McNaughton.

Scarborough made it two wins in a week at home in the Nationwide Conference, with this emphatic 4-1 victory over Northwich leaving manager Russ Slade beaming.

"We created lot of chances and it was probably our best show of the season," said Slade.

"We were dangerous all through the game and their goalkeeper was their best player - and he had to be.

"I am delighted for Neil Campbell to get off the mark with his two goals and Colin Cryan looked a quality player on his debut."

Cryan has come on a month's loan deal from Sheffield United and looked comfortable in a solid defence.

But it was in attack that Scarborough shone for most of the ninety minutes

Campbell replaced the limping Karl Rose after 19 minutes and two minutes later the ex-York City junior produced an exquisite lob to open the scoring. He added his second eight minutes later with a strong finish.

Campbell is an enigmatic player and these two goals could be just the boost he needs to get his season going

Keith Scott nodded in the third a minute after the break to put the hosts well into the comfort zone.

Greg Blundell pulled a goal back when a Val Owen shot deflected straight to him and Paul Shepherd and Mark Hotte produced a remarkable goal-line clearance between them when Jimmy Quinn's header hit a post.

David Pounder rounded Paul Gibson in the last minute to wrap up the win after Gibson had produced heroics to deny Bimbo Fatokun and Pounder.

After eight win-less games Pickering Town stunned the Northern Counties East League premier division with a 3-1 first defeat of term for Ossett Albion.

Pikes even trailed to a Jay Horne goal only to reply just before half-time through Danny Farthing. That spurred the visitors who sealed the points with an own goal and a late Ryan Crwaford finish.

Selby Town picked up their first points of the premier season with a thrilling 3-2 win at Glasshoughton.

Michael Barnett opened the scoirng after three minutes, a lead doubled seven minuts later when Nigel Oldfield beat the offside trap to chip the 'keeper. When Nigel Croad drove in a third in the 25th-minute the game looked over.

But five minutes before the break Lee Parker pulled a goal back for the Castleford-based side and soon after ex-Selby player Nick Baker netted from close range.

Luckily defences stayed on top to the final whistle to put the Robins in good heart for tomorrow's visit of Sheffield (ko 7.45 pm).

Tadcaster Albion lost 4-1 at Worsbrough in the NCEL first division.

Trailing early on Albion levelled through Gareth Williams, but their cause was blighted when 'keeper Chris Byford was sent off just before half-time for handling outside the penalty area.

Updated: 10:52 Monday, October 14, 2002