TADCASTER Albion are gearing up for a tough few days in their battle to stay out of the drop zone in Evo-Stik League division one north.

The Brewers, who lost 3-1 at third-placed Trafford last Saturday, go to second-placed Lancaster City (3pm) tomorrow before facing a quick rematch at home to Trafford on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Taddy go into the game just one point above the drop zone, albeit with games in hand on everyone else, as they look to consolidate in the division after promotion from the Northern Counties East League last year.

Scarborough Athletic have a weekend off before going to Ramsbottom United on Tuesday, both teams still harbouring hopes of climbing into the play-off places.

Pickering Town, still hopeful of joining Tadcaster and Scarborough in the Evo-Stik League after returning to winning ways in the NCEL premier division last week, will expect a maximum return from their trip to bottom-of-the-table Retford United.

Victory would lift Paul Marshall's second-placed side to within one point of Cleethorpes, who occupy the sole automatic promotion spot.

The leaders host Bromsgrove Sporting in the second leg of their FA Vase semi-final, where victory would take them to Wembley after they drew the first leg 1-1. The Pikes may well be hoping the Lincolnshire side lose focus on their league campaign as they eye the Arch.

On-the-wain Harrogate Railway Athletic have a weekend off before facing a difficult task to end their five-match losing streak at home to fourth-placed Thackley on Tuesday.

Knaresborough Town, two points off the play-off places in division one, go to second-placed Emley tomorrow in a potentially key six-pointer before visiting lowly Worsborough Bridge Athletic on Tuesday.

Mid-table Selby Town will eye three points as they go to second-bottom Westella & Willerby.

Up in National League North, Harrogate Town welcome Chorley to the CNG Stadium tomorrow looking for revenge against a side who inflicted Town’s second defeat of the season at Victory Park in October.

Simon Weaver’s men were four points clear of the Magpies before that 1-0 loss, but now trail Matt Jansen’s side following a tough end to the calendar year.

Town have rediscovered their early season form, though, having suffered just one defeat in 11 matches in 2017, and they could climb to eighth with victory tomorrow against a side without a win in the last four away games.

Jansen’s side are nevertheless tough to beat, with only one defeat in eight, and they sit fourth in the table, only goal-difference separating them and second-placed Salford.

Chorley also have the second-best defensive record in the league, though they are the lowest scorers in the top half.

Joe Colbeck and Danny Ellis returned from injury in Harrogate's draw at Gloucester last week, though Luke Shiels sustained a hamstring injury and joins Dom Knowles and Louie Swain on the sidelines.