YORK know only a victory will keep their promotion prospects alive when they take on Consett at Clifton Park tomorrow.

But they will have to conquer a stubborn County Durham side who have their own ideas about reaching the top of the pile in Durham and Northumberland One.

Just a point separates third-placed York from Consett and a battle royal seems certain at 2.15pm at Clifton Park.

The 9-6 defeat at Consett in October was York's first reverse of the season and they will be looking to avenge that in style.

With the exception of injured second row Rob Sparrow and flanker Grant Williams, who is unavailable, York have a full squad to choose from for their first league match of 2005.

In the three-quarters, Nick Ventress and Rob Taylor will be the centre pairing, with Rob Kama and Sam Arkle on the wings.

Mike Ford retains his place at stand-off having recovered from the injury that he sustained in last Saturday's club match against Old Crossleyans.

Dave Dorking makes his first appearance of the year at prop being paired with Simon Humphries. Kiwi hooker Jon Sharpe completes the front row, with Matt Halifax playing alongside Brad Macdonald in the second row.

The pack is completed with captain Andy Kay and Stu Davies on either side of Ian Davies at No.8.

Selby, following their 15-10 win at South Leicester last week in the National Intermediate Cup, will looking to avoid coming back down to earth with a bump when they meet Ilkley in Yorkshire One at Sandhill Lane.

The side which takes on the West Yorkshire outfit will have four changes from that which secured a cup quarter-final berth against Staines next month.

With Ben Marshall unavailable, Wright Phillips switches from flanker to partner Jason Cicero in the second row. Paul Randell is recalled at flanker and Richard Nicholson has recovered from illness to take the other flanker position.

Duncan Phillips takes over at No.8 from Jamie Pocklington, who is nursing a knee injury.

On the bench, evergreen prop Ian Copperwheat is recalled and is joined by utility back Paul Scott and utility forward Kevin Lowery.

It's second versus third in Yorkshire Two when Pocklington face Bradford Salem, the team directly above them, at Percy Road.

Pock will be looking to bounce back following a poor display in last week's 22-5 loss to West Park Bramhope in Leeds.

For Pock, centre Sandy Mitchell is working but his younger brother, Henry, returns from Newcastle University to fill the void, while regular lock, Stewart Rowley, is back after missing last week through illness.

There are two debutants. Scrum half Sam Rees is unavailable, so scrum-half James Dicks, who moved at the start of the season to York from Gloucestershire, comes in for his first start.

Ed Bean, a back five forward promoted after performing well for the Panthers, also makes his first appearance.

Malton and Norton travel to Teesside looking to snap a run of two consecutive defeats by beating Stockton in North 2 East.

With seven wins and six defeats, it's been an indifferent campaign so far, but victory would help Malton and Norton begin to bridge the gap with those leading the way.

James McKay will be missing with a thigh strain and his place at outside centre goes to Alan Aitken.

Hooker Carl Muscroft and prop Paul Dobson are unavailable and will be replaced by Adam Turnbull and Steve Percy. No 8 forward Phil Ryan starts a four-week suspension, so Craig Foote comes in.

Updated: 11:02 Friday, January 21, 2005