Goole boss Paul Marshall is backing himself to halt his side's miserable run of form in UniBond League division one.

Just a month ago, Goole came within minutes of beating Nationwide North Gainsborough Trinity. But now they are fourth from bottom - albeit with breathing space from the relegation zone - after losing four in 12 days.

Said Marshall: "We have got to stick together through this, we can't lay down. It's one of those leagues - you can win four on the bounce and go top or you can lose four and go right down - and that's exactly what we've done.

"But I'm confident I can turn it around."

The step up a level from the Northern Counties East League premier division has started to tell with players falling short of the required standards and Marshall is now in the market for better quality. But the biggest impact has been as a result of playing Saturday/Tuesday every week since the beginning of the season which has meant the squad have managed just one training session.

Tomorrow they make the long trip to Kendal, with a change of fortunes and the end of their freefall on the agenda.

Marshall is hopeful at least one of Rob Constable (Achilles) and Graham Whitehead (hamstring) will make the squad, while goalkeeper Chris Hill is also doubtful because of child-minding problems.

The curse of the captain's armband has struck Dean MacAuley at Pickering Town.

The in-form defender, who has been shining as skipper with Alex Willgrass still on the treatment table, is out of action for at least six weeks after damaging his medial ankle ligaments in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Glasshoughton Welfare.

It's a blow for the Pikes, who have suffered with injuries all season. But the ranks of younger players have more than proved their worth after helping push the side up to third in the NCEL premier division.

James Drinkall and Steve Baxter are both back in contention for tomorrow's match at home to Garforth Town after spells on the sidelines with player/manager Alex Mathie facing a toss-up between starting himself or Baxter up front.

Tadcaster Albion are without Dale Waddington and Greg Anderson for their NCEL division one match at Rossington Main - but they welcome back Dave Watson to the club.

Updated: 09:22 Friday, October 28, 2005