PICKERING Town face a team seemingly on the up tomorrow - with boss Paul Marshall using their stats to remind his troops they cannot take anyone for granted as they seek a return to top form.

The Pikes scraped a 2-1 win over lowly Barton Town last weekend to go back up to second in the Northern Counties East League premier division, having picked up only two wins in their previous seven outings.

They now visit 12th-placed Bottesford Town (3pm), who had been bumping around the bottom half before bagging four wins on the trot, culminating in a 4-1 win last week at Staveley.

Marshall, who has long insisted there "are no easy games in the league", said: “Bottesford have won four in a row, so they’re on something of a hot streak. We beat them last year, but it wasn’t easy."

New arrivals Matty Turnbull, who has returned from Scarborough Athletic, and Eddie Cass, who is back from his time in the USA, played the full 90 minutes in the win over Barton Town.

Said Marshall: “It’s good for both players to get 90 minutes into their legs.

“Matty Turnbull did what he always does, winning tackles and headers.”

The general standard of the game, however, was not up to scratch, partially as a result of squad and formation shake-ups.

Marshall said: “It was a poor performance. Injuries have caused a few problems, so it was quite testing.

“The pleasing thing was the three points, because we don’t normally do that – we haven’t had quite the rub of the green lately, but we did on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Pickering have been drawn at home to North Riding League high-fliers Redcar Town in the North Riding County FA Senior Cup first round, with the tie to be played on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Harrogate Railway Athletic's new management team take charge of their first game tomorrow.

The Northern Counties East League premier division strugglers - they sit second-bottom of the table - this week announced Marlon Adams as their new boss, to be assisted by Lee Ryan along with coaches Michael Reynolds and Ray Green.

Adams had for a short while been the manager of West Yorkshire League heavyweights Field AFC. He formerly managed another local league team in Lower Hopton, but his name had been banded around the NCEL before, having been a candidate for the Nostell post in the summer.

His first game in charge is at home to rock-bottom Clipstone, the only team below Railway in the standings.

A statement on the club's website said: "These men have shown great desire to become the next management team at Harrogate Railway.

"We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them and we look forward to working with them to forge a new and successful future for the club."

Former player-boss Liam Gray, meanwhile, bemoaned having only 16 games in charge in which to turn round the Rail's fortunes with "one of the lowest budgets in the league".

Gray and coach Dennis Metcalfe had been axed this month amid a run of 10 consecutive defeats in which the team shipped in a staggering 54 goals.

Railway remain second bottom of the table despite their 1-0 victory at Albion Sports last Saturday.

Conversely, Selby Town are looking to continue on a crest of a wave in division one.

They sit sixth after following their shock West Riding FA County Cup win over Bradford Park Avenue with a 4-0 triumph at Swallownest last Saturday.

They host mid-table Ollerton tomorrow.

Secretary Thomas Arkley said: "Selby have the momentum going forward and things are looking good at the moment."

Leaders Knaresborough's momentum has stalled a little recently, with only one win in the last four outings, though they pushed North Shields close in the FA Vase last week.

They face a tough task in their bid to return to winning ways tomorrow - a top-of-the-table clash at second-placed Yorkshire Amateur.