They are still calling it The Great Escape in Stalybridge.

When John Reed and Mark Atkins were finally lured to East Manchester from Harrogate Town at the second time of asking in a fanfare of confusion, there seemed little great about their prospects.

Professional suicide was the more likely phrase as Stalybridge Celtic were 13 points off safety with just weeks to go to resolve the situation.

But they turned things around in dramatic style and tomorrow Reed goes head-to-head with his old Harrogate side for the first time since his departure in an eighth v seventh set-to at Bower Fold.

"It's been a whirlwind, the last few months," he said. "We went there at a time when they were 13 points out of safety and they thought it was an impossible situation but with a lot of sweat, blood and hard work, we did it - and they made posters with photos of me and Mark Atkins on the back of motorbikes with The Great Escape on them."

Reed's departure left a bitter taste in chairman Bill Fotherby's mouth having been given no chance to persuade him to stay, but Reed (pictured below) insists there will be no grudges from him in a clash where stakes are higher than past histories.

He said: "Some people say they just want to beat Harrogate Town. But I would sooner lose six points to Harrogate and get in the play-offs than beat Harrogate twice and not get in the play-offs.

"I'm looking forward to it and seeing Mr 'F', as I haven't spoken to him since I left, which is a shame because we were friends away from football.

"When I see him I'm going to stick out my hand and hope that he'll take it and give me a warm hug like we always used to do."

Among those expected to play are former Town boys Paul Pettinger, Mark Barnard, Grant Black, James Turley and Mark Haran, with York City junior 'keeper Arron Reid on the bench after signing a month-long loan last week.

But Reed is well aware that it will be a tough one tomorrow.

"Neil Aspin has made a fantastic start and we know it's going to be a very difficult game. Neil has made some excellent signings and, contrary to what people think, we get on well - we just disagree about football.

"I spoke to Neil only three weeks ago and I wish him all the very best - except for when we play them."

Lee Nogan will be back on the bench for Town following his midweek brace for Pickering, and former York City team-mate Leigh Wood should also be okay after coming through last Saturday's FA Cup tie unscathed in his first start since breaking his nose.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, September 30, 2005