HARROGATE Town loan-signing Lee Philpott showed exactly why John Reed was so keen to get him on board after creating the goal that beat Runcorn FC Halton.

The former Leicester City man played a key role in the build-up to a saved Paul Shepherd shot and directed the resultant corner onto Marc Smith's head for the only goal of the match.

The win lifts Town up to second in the Conference North table.

Delighted manager Reed said: "Whether we can sustain it or not I don't know but it gives me a lot of pleasure to be second in the table at this moment."

He added that crucial negotiations to bring Philpott to Wetherby Road from Nationwide South club Weymouth until the end of the season will get under way this week.

Goole remain in Northern Counties East League premier division pole position after a 3-2 win at Borrowash Victoria where goals from Gary Shaw, Graeme Whitehead and Steve Rollinson were enough to stave off the Borrowash threat.

Second-placed Selby Town continued their good run with a 2-1 defeat of Mickleover Sports.

The visitors took the lead when Adam Sadler sliced a clearance over the stranded Adam Mitchell. But Selby responded well and equalised when Matthew Wain was brought down in the penalty area and Tom Reid netted the spot-kick.

Three minutes later the Robins took the lead when Cameron Stuart jinked his way past two defenders and smashed in a powerful shot.

Harrogate Railway kept up the pressure on the top two with a 2-1 away win at Armthorpe Welfare.

Scott Ryan was twice on target for the visitors with Jason Brown's 70th minute consolation not enough to make an impact on the result.

Ricky Greening scored a 39th minute equaliser for Pickering Town at home to Buxton to keep them sixth.

Division One leaders Sutton Town came back from trailing 1-0 to beat Tadcaster Albion 3-1.

Two second half penalties and a well-taken goal sealed the defeat despite Albion taking a first half lead through Steve Ward following a great Alan Jackson cross.

Updated: 11:47 Monday, November 29, 2004