PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall has revealed that he rejected the opportunity to return to former club Harrogate Railway Athletic this season.

Marshall was offered the manager's job at Station View following the resignation of manager Lee Ashworth in September.

He admits that he was tempted by the offer and will always have a soft spot for the club he led to the second round of the FA Cup 15 years ago.

But Marshall's decision to stay loyal to the Pikes has been fully vindicated over the last seven months.

He has become the first manager in the club's history to win over 85 points in a season and the Pikes are set to finish second in the Northern Counties East League premier division - after pushing Cleethorpes Town all the way for the title.

Railway, meanwhile, are still not safe from a second consecutive relegation having lost 10 of their last 11 games ahead of today's league game between the two clubs (2.30pm) at Station View.

They parted company with Ashworth's replacement, Paul Beesley, in February and youth coach Ray Green was placed in temporary charge until the end of the season.

Marshall said: "They made me a good offer but I felt we had more of a settled team at Pickering and leaving would have caused a lot of upheaval. Railway will always be a club close to my heart - because of what we achieved there in the past - and I still have a lot of friends there including the chairman Rob Northfield. It hurts me to see where they are now."

Cleethorpes, who banged in 10 goals against Railway last weekend, were due to play Bottesford Town last night knowing that victory would open up an EIGHT point lead over Pickering. With four games still to play, compared to Pickering's three, it is unlikely that they will throw away promotion now.

Marshall has admitted defeat in the title race but knows that his side still need two more victories to secure second spot ahead of Bridlington Town.

After today's trip to Harrogate, they play Athersley Recreation at home on April 22 and AFC Mansfield away seven days later.

Winger Joe Dale is ruled out of the remaining three games due to his commitments with Acomb in the York and District Senior Cricket League.

Knaresborough Town can no longer qualify for the NCEL division one play-offs but today's opponents Pontefract Collieries (kick-off 5.30pm) are third in the table and still locked in a battle for automatic promotion with leaders AFC Emley and second placed Hall Road Rangers.

Selby Town will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to eight games tomorrow (6pm) against play-off qualifiers Penistone Church.

Tadcaster Albion host Hyde United tomorrow (3pm) in Evo-Stik First Division North.

The Brewers lost 4-2 on penalties to Farsley Celtic in the midweek West Riding County Cup Final.

Scarborough Athletic manager Steve Kittrick feels his side need maximum points over Easter to stay in play-off contention.

Boro, who are currently two points adrift of the top five, visit Bamber Bridge tomorrow (3pm) before hosting Tadcaster Albion on Monday afternoon.

Harrogate Town will be seeking a first win in four games when they visit Nuneaton tomorrow (3pm) in Vanarama National League North.