BILLY MILLER believes his Tadcaster Albion side are right on track for Northern Counties East League premier division promotion.

The Brewers have enjoyed a flying start to the season, having picked up 17 points from their first eight games ahead of a trip to Liversedge tomorrow.

Held 2-2 at Armthorpe Welfare on Tuesday night, following a draw with high-flying Clipstone last Saturday, Miller reflected on a start to the season which sees the table congested.

Key for him is that his side have proved hard to beat.

"The thing for us is that we have lost once in eight games while other teams have lost twice and three times already," he said. "We shouldn't lose sight of that. Tadcaster have done so well in the last couple of seasons that every team that comes to play us - if they are bottom or second - has a go.

"My belief is that if you are a team in the bottom half it is like a free hit. Clipstone last Saturday and Armthorpe on Tuesday night got out of the blocks really quickly and, with the FA Cup game, we have already played nine games in the first week of September.

"In a week's time we will have played a quarter of the season and that is a lot of games for a squad at this level to deal with. It takes its toll.

"We are probably bang on track for the course of the season. If we can get to ten and 12 games and have only a couple of losses then, across the season, that will reflect well. We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the league isn't won in August and September. It can be lost, though.

"We have shown great character to come from behind twice in a week. Tuesday night was a bit more of a disappointment. When we get our noses in front we have to learn to close games out and shut the door."

On the prospect of Liversedge, Miller added: "I used to manage Liversedge. I had three years there and it will be good to go back. They have had a couple of good results and they are going to fancy their chances. We have got to be ready for that challenge and have to stand up and have character and say we are capable of dealing with this."

Miller will be without Liam Ormsby, who is likely to miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, but Josh Barrett returns to the squad after recovering from a shoulder knock. Nick Thompson remains as many as five weeks away but Carl Stewart is back in training and could soon be in line for a return.

Pickering Town boss Paul Marshall is still waiting for his first league victory at the helm.

The Pikes lost 3-0 at Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday night and, although they are pointless at the bottom of the table, they have only played three league matches.

Marshall's men, who traditionally have to start their campaigns on the road because of cricket played at the Recreation Ground, are travelling again to Athersley Recreation.

Selby Town, sunk by Daniel Williams' second-half goal in a 1-0 loss to Teversal at Flaxley Road in midweek, entertain Hull United in NCEL division one, while Knaresborough Town host Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

Harrogate Railway go to Trafford in Evo-Stik League first division north, while Scarborough Athletic are not in action.

In National League North, Harrogate Town take a trip to AFC Telford.