MANAGER Jim Collis has warned his Tadcaster Albion club not to get over-excited about their promotion prospects - but reckons they have as good a chance as anyone.

After years in the doldrums, Abion lie second in Northern Counties East League division one in a promotion race involving up to eight teams.

Veteran campaigner Collis, whose installation as boss heralded a huge upturn in fortunes at Ings Lane, says this is the time to redouble their efforts but knows a lot can yet happen.

"I've been around long enough to know football can be cruel," said Collis (pictured right). "People are getting optimistic but they should not expect too much too soon. If it comes off, then brilliant and I'm hoping we can make a push, but whether we're good enough or not will tell at the end of the season."

He added: "This is the time where if we're going to do anything we've got to start it now.

"From what I gather, although we had a bit of a dip in form, other teams have started to have a dip and no-one is pulling away from us.

"At the moment we're still second and if we keep winning it will be in our hands. So far we've had a decent season so let's see if we can cap it off in these last 11 games."

Tadcaster meet leaders Carlton Town next week but, before then, entertain lowly Yorkshire Amateur tomorrow, and Collis - who has virtually a full squad to choose from barring broken cheekbone victim Matty Cressey, who faces another five weeks out - says they must be focussed.

"There's not a big gap between top and bottom in this league," he said. "But if we can get the lads in the right frame of mind I've no doubt we can beat anybody in this division or the division above."

Promotion would see Tadcaster join North Yorkshire rivals Pickering Town, Harrogate Railway and Selby Town in the premier division - unless, of course, either of the latter two get promoted.

The FA Vase-seeking Pikes have not applied for a place in the UniBond League, but the Rail and the Robins are keen to move up.

Rail lie fourth but have played more games than those around them, while Selby are seventh - though not helped by drawing the midweek League Cup tie with Pickering to force a replay.

Railway and Selby will be favourites tomorrow to take the spoils at home to Mickleover Sports and Eccleshill respectively and could be done a favour by fifth-placed Pickering, who visit another of the contenders, Thackley.

Updated: 10:31 Friday, February 17, 2006