PICKERING Town emphasised their title aspirations in the Northern Counties East League division one by hammering lowly Winterton Rangers 7-0.

Hotshot Adam Wash hit a hat-trick, Danny Farthing notched his first two goals for the first team, Mark Wood netted one and Joe Connor scored from the spot.

The Pikes now need just three points from their remaining three games to guarantee promotion, although rivals Mickleover signalled their intentions with a 5-0 win at Gedling, whose own promotion hopes have now ended.

Pickering's biggest title threat, Borrowash Victoria, upped their unbeaten run to eight matches by defeating Parkgate 3-1 and now need to win just three of their remaining nine matches to ensure they go up.

Pikes boss Jimmy Reid, whose team visit Bridlington Town in the Wilkinson Sword Trophy final first leg tomorrow, said: "We play Louth at home on Saturday and then Mickleover and Gedling away and I don't want to be travelling to those away games needing a win.

"My heart's bad enough at the best of times."

Tadcaster Albion stayed bottom after an incident-packed 4-2 defeat by Hatfield Main.

Mally Bolland made it 1-1 with a free-kick for Tad and, after Hatfield had gone 3-1 up with the help of a disputed penalty, Rich Howley pulled one back from the spot. Tad then had another claim for a penalty turned down before the visitors, who had a man sent off for two yellow cards, scored late on to make the game safe.

Tad boss Wayne Day said: "Those penalty decisions summed up our season. We've a five-point deficit now and we need to beat Worsbor-ough on Wednesday to keep in touch with two other games left."

NCEL premier division leaders Brigg Town moved a step closer to promotion to the UniBond League thanks to a 2-0 defeat of Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Simon Roach got both goals during a late five-minute spell.

There was a distinct end-of-season atmosphere as Selby Town won 2-0 at neighbours Glasshoughton.

Second-half goals by Peter Collier and Dexter Tucker saw the Robins set themselves up nicely for Tuesday's President's Cup final second leg at home to Ossett Albion, who slipped up in their quest for promotion by drawing 1-1 at Glapwell.

Goole won 2-1 at Denaby United thanks to a goal apiece for Shaun Lanaghan and Andy Saville. Denaby had Danny Bloomer sent off but still managed to pull a goal back through Andy Hammond.

Matty Wain maintained Nestl Rowntree's slim hopes of retaining the West Yorkshire League title by scoring the only goal of their game at Rothwell.

Leaders Carlton Athletic drew 0-0 at Bardsey but still have a ten-point advantage, though Rowntree have games in hand.

York RI's bid to get off the foot of the table was boosted by a 4-2 win at Pontefract Sports and Social. Lee Bartlett bagged a brace and Lee Bond and Colin Rayner also scored for RI, while Dale Muscroft and Stuart Portman netted for the hosts.

Knaresborough Town drew 1-1 at home with Aberford Albion, while goals from Ewan McInnan, Andrew Kemp and Grant Nichols saw Wetherby Athletic win 3-2 at Sandy Lane.

Harrogate Town's marathon UniBond League Chairman's Cup final on Thursday took its toll as they lost 4-1 at Trafford in their division one clash on Saturday.

Town, beaten on penalties by premier division Barrow in the final, had played four games in the week and paid the price. Lee Wilkinson gave the hosts the lead and Peter Atkinson scored a bizarre own goal to make it two, and although Craig Elliott pulled one back and had two more goals disallowed for offside, the Mancunians finished it off with goals by Darren Emmett, after a mistake by 'keeper Paul Allen, and Joe Murray.

Updated: 12:54 Monday, April 23, 2001