TWO wins for promotion, three for the title.

That is how close Harrogate Town and boss John Reed are to finally achieving their season-long goal - and that is with nine games still to go.

A total of 85 points - the most closest challengers Ossett Town can hope for - is the mark Town need to gain the club promotion to the UniBond League premier division.

And with Ossett set to travel to Harrogate next Saturday, Town could sew up the title in front of their home fans.

But cool-headed Reed will first have to safely negotiate his side past the challenge of fifth-placed Leek tomorrow and then relegation-threatened Belper Town on Tuesday before any thoughts turn to uncorking the champagne.

And it is the clash against Leek which currently occupies the mind of much-travelled manager.

"They are in a play-off place so it will be tough," he said. "It was when we beat them 1-0 at our place, so I'd expect it to be the same again.

"If we can win tomorrow and then on Tuesday that should just about do it for us, but we do have to win these games."

New signing James Knowles is added to the squad after signing from Garforth on deadline day, while Iain Dunn returns after a brief stint at Pickering.

Former Halifax Town right-back Michael Ord faces a late fitness test, but striker Craig Elliott is definitely ruled out.

While John Reed is dreaming of life in the UniBond premier division, Jimmy Reid is plotting his escape from the Northern Counties East League premier division.

The Pickering Town boss may have been forced to put aside his hope of promotion this season, but the Scot has vowed to come back with all guns blazing.

Off the field, the Pikes, who entertain Thackley tomorrow, are looking at bringing their ground up to scratch to meet the UniBond League criteria, while on it Reid is ready to reshape his side for a serious tilt at the title.

"The planning for next season starts here," Reid told the Evening Press.

"We need £65,000 to get into the UniBond League, but we've got people working hard behind the scenes trying to raise that money so we can make the improvements necessary.

"I'm going to start looking at the young players we've got in the second team and Under-19s.

"We're not going to win the league and although we do want to finish as high as we can, now is the chance for the young boys to show what they can do."

Danny Farthing is included in the side after opting to stay at the Pikes and turn down a move to Harrogate Town.

Selby Town have also been forced to put aside their hopes of moving up the football league pyramid - with a slump in form since the turn of the year proving costly.

Boss Bob Lyon has been hit by terrible injury problems and things are unlikely to improve for the visit of Liversedge, with five of the club's Under-19s squad set for their first team debuts.

"Our season is over really," said Lyon. "There are seven games left and we want to win them all, but our injury situation means we are going to have to blood the youngsters."

Stuart Lee faces a late test on a groin strain which has troubled him in recent weeks.

Harrogate Railway will look to overcome a slight blip in form when they entertain Borrowash Victoria.

Boss Paul Marshall will welcome highly-rated midfielder Paul Stansfield back to the club for a second time.

The free-scoring Harrogate Town star has joined the Station View time for the second time on loan, having played for them earlier in the season.

Goole travel to Arnold Town for their premier division clash, while Tadcaster Albion can go along way to ensuring they finish clear of the bottom three in division one if they can beat fellow strugglers Parkgate.

Nestl Rowntree are raring to go for the visit of Armley Athletic in the premier division of the West Yorkshire League.

Having had been forced to call off a match a fortnight ago due to lack of players, Nestl bounced back in fine style to beat Knaresborough Town 6-3 last weekend.

Now, the club are after more of the same.

"When things are going wrong, the best tonic in the world is three points," said assistant-boss Jon Reynolds. "We came back brilliantly from 3-2 down on Saturday to win 6-3 and now everyone is really keen for this weekend."

Nestl will give a debut to goalkeeper Tom Quinn, who has joined on-loan from Pickering Town as regular shot-stopper Neil Smallwood has a five-week ban.

Updated: 12:28 Friday, April 05, 2002