Buoyant Pickering Town will be looking to transform Saturday's FA Cup winning exploits into the league tonight when they host Glapwell.

The Pikes have suffered a miserable start to the season with a 100 per cent loss rate from their opening two league games.

But after an ego-boosting FA Cup preliminary round win over Bedlington Terriers, boss Steve Brown is hopeful they will carry that through to their Northern Counties East League premier division campaign.

He said: "It was a good win and a good performance - a lot more like what's expected.

"It's a reminder to everyone of what we can do and I'm very much hoping to take that forward."

But those home sentiments are not echoed by Harrogate Railway who travel to Esh Winning to chase a valuable FA Cup preliminary round replay win - and make the most of the change of scenery.

The game will be the first away match this term for the Rail, who were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, and there will be much at stake as possible FA Cup glory and £1,000 await the winner.

Manager Martin Haresign said: "They were a better team than what we were led to believe and a draw was probably right. But I would like to go there and win it."

Danny Spence, who dislocated his shoulder after just half an hour on Saturday, will be out, as will James Featherstone, who picked up a slight knock. Scott Ryan and Ian Blackstone are both likely to come into the fold.

Harrogate Town will be looking to banish the memory of the 'craziest result' ever seen by manager John Reed as they welcome Stalybridge Celtic in the Conference North.

Two bizarre goals in the space of five minutes - including a controversial handball - knocked Town off their stride at Altrincham on Saturday.

But with the visit of Stalybridge, whom Town did the double over in the UniBond League premier division last season, Reed is hoping for a change of fortune.

He said: "I'm going to find it hard to rocket those players because they played so well for the first 60 minutes.

"It's certainly going to test my team talk. It was disappointing but you've just got to get on with it."

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, September 07, 2004