PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall has bolstered his side's promotion push with the capture of teenage duo Marcelle Chigamira and Joe Dunnett.

Both players are products of the York-based i2i Football Academy and are in the squad for Saturday's home game against Clipstone in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League premier division.

Striker Chigamira, 19, was born in Zimbabwe but moved to Leeds as a youngster and attends York College.

He is close friends with twins Ronaldo and Romario Vieira who are currently making waves at Leeds United.

Dunnett, 17, is a utility player who caught the eye of Doncaster Rovers after a string of impressive early season performances for Garforth Town.

He has recently been on trial with League Two leaders Rovers but was not offered a permanent deal.

Marshall believes the arrival of the duo brings added competition to Pickering's squad entering the final two months of the season.

The Pikes are currently second in the table - five points adrift of leaders Cleethorpes Town with 16 games still to play. Victory over Clipstone - who are currently a club in turmoil - will reduce the gap to just three points as Cleethorpes are playing in the sixth round of the FA Vase this weekend against Southall.

The two title rivals then square up on Saturday February 25 in a genuine 'six pointer' at Mill Lane.

"We know what we have to do," says Marshall. "If we beat Clipstone and Cleethorpes in our next two games, we are top of the league.

"It's a big incentive because, a few weeks ago, everyone thought Cleethorpes had things wrapped up. All we can do is keep putting pressure on them and then see where that takes us."

Third-placed Bridlington Town are the other club still in the equation but are five points behind the Pikes and 10 adrift of Cleethorpes.

A goal from substitute Nathan Kamara gave the Pikes a 1-0 midweek victory over Scarborough Athletic in the North Riding County FA Senior Cup semi-final. They will play either Middlesbrough Under-23s or Whitby Town in the final.

Winger Russ Parker, meanwhile, is hoping to be involved this weekend for the first time since damaging ankle ligaments against Bridlington Town on Boxing Day.

Marshall says Parker's return will be another 'big boost' although his path to the side is blocked by the current form of Ryan Cooper.

Clipstone are 15th in the league table but their season has descended into freefall since the departure of chairman Dave Paling and the club's aborted resignation from the league last month.

They have suffered heavy defeats in three consecutive league games against Garforth, Hemsworth Miners Welfare, and Maltby Main and were dumped out of the NCEL League Cup last month by division one side Penistone Church.

"It's sad to see what's happening to Clipstone," admitted Marshall. "The chairman has left, the manager (Billy Fox) has left, and so have a lot of the players. But we have got to stay fully focused on our objectives and come back with three points."

Harrogate Railway Athletic, whose Station View home has been up for sale, host bottom of the table Barton Town Old Boys. Chairman Rob Northfield says the club cannot survive without money from development on the site.

Knaresborough Town will move into the NCEL division one play-off zone should they win at sixth-placed Hallam. Selby Town visit bottom of the table Nostell Miners Welfare.

Harrogate Town, meanwhile, will be looking to keep the pressure on the top five when they visit struggling Altrincham in Vanarama National League North.