PICKERING Town boss Mitch Cook is urging his players to focus on tomorrow’s Northern Counties East League premier division match at Lincoln Moorlands Railway before letting the cup take priority.

It is a big week for the Pikes with the chance to move ahead of Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the league table before they face Marske United in the semi-final of the North Riding Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

Having already despatched York City in the quarter-final, the tie represents a great chance for Pickering to reach a high-profile final but Cook insists the league must come first.

“We are just keeping the Marske game in the background,” he said. “We want to get as high as we can in the league – to prove we can do okay and that our young players can perform to a high standard.

“That’s our priority. We have had a couple of disappointments at home – against Maltby Main and Tadcaster – when we thought we had been doing well. We will have to get over them.

“It’s a tough game. Lincoln scored seven away from home in their last match and, while it would be an honour if we can get to the final of the North Riding Senior Cup, we have to kick on ahead and then look forward to next week.”

Cook is without Billy Logan, who is serving the last game of a three-match suspension, and Darren Clough is likely to be out for the rest of the season after breaking his jaw in three places.

Lyle Hillier and Nathan Cook are also unavailable but all, except Clough, will be in the frame on Tuesday night.

Tadcaster Albion start from scratch when Nostell Miners Welfare come to Ings Lane in the NCEL top flight.

Having hauled themselves back into the title race with a 3-2 win over Pickering, Paul Marshall’s men were humbled 4-1 at Thackley in midweek.

Tom Woollard’s goal gave the Brewers the lead but they conceded before half-time and then shipped three second-half goals – leaving Marshall frustrated.