TADCASTER ALBION are revelling in being the team the rest of the Northern Counties East League premier division wants to beat.

Manager Paul Marshall leads his table-topping side to Liversedge tomorrow just four days after coming from behind to beat their rivals 3-1 in the second round of the West Riding County Cup.

The Brewers chief employed some fringe members of his squad for the cup clash at Ings Lane and is expected to bring back striker Carl Stewart, who has a cut ankle, and Tom Chamberlain into the starting 11.

Tadcaster scored three goals in the last 17 minutes to quell a spirited display from Liversedge, who had taken the lead early in the first half through Kieran Corley. Marshall said his men can expect to have to work hard for their victories with a target placed firmly on their heads having won 13 of their 15 league games.

"They gave everything in the first half and just tired in the second," he said of Albion's opponents. "We have got to get used to it. Everyone wants to stop us playing. We will have to change our style sometimes. It is just making sure that we are aware of what we need to do.

"It shows how far we have come. We are seven seasons in and we are now one of the best non-League teams at our level."

Marshall will be without Nick Thompson, who has been advised to rest after trying to play through a groin injury.

The reinforcements are arriving swiftly for Pickering Town boss Mitch Cook who has now challenged his side to summon a surge up the premier division table.

Chris Batchelor's late goal at Athersley Recreation rescued a point for the Pikes in a 3-3 draw last time out, which followed a 7-0 midweek demolition of Maltby Main.

With Tony Hackworth completing half an hour of the Athersley game, Wayne Aziz playing the full 90 minutes and Robbie Hawkes about to serve the final match of his suspension when Cook's men host Garforth Town on Saturday, the Mill Lane manager's squad is starting to approach full strength for the first time this season.

That has got Cook urging his players to string a run of wins together that elevates them from their 12th place in the league.

"We were disappointed we didn't win the game," Cook said of the Athersley draw. "I thought we dominated and some of the lads were really disappointed with a few things that went on in the game.

"The resilience is coming back to the squad. The senior players are back involved and they are players that lead by example. Tony Hackworth got a good half an hour in and you would expect him to be fit for Garforth, while Wayne Aziz also got a full game under the belt. These players can organise when things aren't going well.

"Robbie Hawkes serves the last game of his suspension against Garforth and we are nearly getting there. We have a run of games and we could soon have a full squad. Let's see if we can get one of those runs that has us shooting up the table."

On Garforth, Cook added: "It's at home. It is a winnable game. We had a great win last time at home. Other teams, like Staveley and Barton, have gone on runs that have got them up the table and we are looking to do the same."

Selby Town suffered their first cup defeat this season when falling 4-2 at home to Seaham Red Star in the first round of the FA Vase last weekend. Now they have to begin their rise up the league ladder.

The 14th placed Robins go to Yorkshire Amateur in NCEL division one. League rivals Knaresborough Town host Pontefract Colleries.

In Conference North, Harrogate Town, who have recently marked the official opening of a new terraced stand at Wetherby Road, bid for their fourth win on the trot when they travel to Gloucester City.

Harrogate Railway are at Radcliffe Borough in Evo-Stike League first division north. Scarborough Athletic, who lost manager Rudy Funk this week after the long-serving boss resigned, host Northwich Victoria.