A MIDWEEK win will have lifted morale at Pickering Town as they get ready for a trip to Borrowash Victoria - but it is unlikely to have any bearing on boss Steve Brown's future.

Speculation had mounted following a dire start to the season for the Pikes but Brown said the situation was more complicated than a simple glance at the results sheet and discussions would continue over the next few weeks.

He said: "It's not about the fact we lost. It's about the fact the job has grown too big for myself to do and I'm not prepared to make myself ill doing it. If the easiest way to get someone new in is for me to stand down and take another role in the club, then that's the best way forward.

"It's the club that matters so we are looking at the bigger picture."

Back on the field, Pickering will be looking to stay in that winning groove following an FA Cup preliminary round win and a first Northern Counties East League premier division triumph.

Brown added: "The squad will be pretty much the same as this week again. It's next weekend that's the big one for us. That's when we will have Alex Willgrass back from suspension and hopefully Brian Dutton will be fit enough after a run-out in the reserves this weekend."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, September 10, 2004