BILLY MILLER believes Tadcaster Albion's shock defeat to Parkgate has proved a turning point in the Brewers' season as the two teams prepare to go back into battle tomorrow in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

The Ings Lane outfit had hammered Maltby Main on the opening day of the campaign and were 3-1 up with 20 minutes to go against Parkgate before inexplicably collapsing to a 4-3 reverse as Oliver Graham scored a hat-trick.

Miller said the loss had been a test of his management and he has since led Albion to the top of the table. Now, after they exited the FA Vase in midweek after a 4-0 thumping at Sunderland RCA, Miller faces another examination against a struggling team - they have just 14 points from 20 games - he says Tadcaster must beat.

"We have to give credit to Sunderland. They were the better team on the night," he said. "It was probably the most disappointing result to come across but the challenge is to pick ourselves up. Parkgate took three points from us and it is a bit of a banana skin.

"On the back of this defeat we have got to have the mental character now. We have got to be strong and go to Parkgate and beat them. We can't afford to drop points. That (4-3 loss) was a big turning point in our season.

"For me, in terms of managing the side, it was a turning point and a massive test of character for me. From there, we have brought in one or two more players into the football club that have the right mental strength to do what we need them do and have played at a level above."

Miller added: "Revenge is too strong a word for this. It is not about that. It is about picking games off. These are the games we have got to win."

Connor Sellars and Andy Milne, neither of whom played in the Sunderland loss, will be available for selection in a squad where Miller can call on everyone.