Neil Aspin has been handed the managerial reins at Harrogate Town for the rest of the season.

The former Darlington, Leeds United and Hartlepool defender was assistant manager in the 2003-04 season before Mark Atkins took over but has now gone one better as caretaker manager in succession to John Reed, who left the club for Stalybridge Celtic.

Left-winger Lee Philpott, who took charge of the team on Saturday, will support Aspin as coach.

Town's trip to Southport was postponed because of bad weather last night as were the Northern Counties East League President's Cup ties featuring Pickering Town at Garforth and Selby at home to Buxton.

Meanwhile, the next step of the non-League pyramid has been guaranteed for the eligible champions of the NCEL - even if it is to the Southern League.

Confusion among teams vying to escape the NCEL set-up led some to believe that a new geographical pooling system could strand the teams at the lower level with one less promotion place than usual up for grabs.

But the UniBond League have said that the winning teams from both the NCEL and the North West Counties League will both earn a place in the UniBond League - despite the possibility a Midland Football Alliance team could join the UniBond and the reduction of promotion and relegation places from three to two.

Leicestershire-based Quorn, for example, could create a headache as they are easier to reach than Spalding - who are currently in UniBond division one - for the UniBond clubs off the M1, but would usually be destined for the Southern League.

But UniBond press officer Phil Bradley said there would be a place somewhere for the winners of both the NCEL and the NWCL League.

He said: "There are only two being relegated because there are only two going down from all four first divisions across the country.

"In theory, whilst the winners of the Midland Alliance could come to us, we will definitely be taking the Northern Counties East and the North West Counties champions.

"We could take someone from the Midland Alliance but that would only happen on a geographical basis.

"There is definitely a place for the champions of the two leagues."

Nine teams have applied for promotion from the NWCL with none of the Albany Northern League sides interested in making the jump.

Selby Town, Harrogate Railway, Goole, Buxton, Mickleover Sports, Sheffield and Shirebrook are the seven teams going for promotion from the NCEL. Pickering Town, Long Eaton United and Glapwell have not applied to go up.

Goole manager Paul Marshall, who had feared his team's promotional efforts might be in vain, was relieved at the promotion boost.

He said: "That's excellent news. At least it means that all those of us who are fighting have definitely got something to fight for."

Updated: 10:29 Wednesday, January 19, 2005