FA CUP fever might be sweeping through Harrogate - with both Town and Railway in the first round proper for the first times in their history - but it is another of the FA competitions that will occupy the mind of Town boss John Reed tomorrow.

Despite the club's poor league form of late, the former Goole chief has steered Town to the most successful spell in their history - guiding them to the UniBond League division one title and the West Riding CFA Cup last season and to their highest-ever league placing and the first round of the FA Cup this time around.

Tomorrow Reed will lead his squad to Gresley Rovers for the FA Trophy first round confident his side have finally turned the corner and looking to emulate the success of last season.

The Wetherby Roaders made it to the third round of the Trophy last time, only to lose 2-0 to Conference giants - and Reed's home-town club - Doncaster Rovers.

"We had a good run last year," said Reed. "We got beat by Doncaster, but put in a great display against them.

"This is like any competition, you just want to do well.

"We've had a great week. We had a fantastic FA Cup victory on Saturday and then a great win in the league over Gainsborough, so hopefully we can now complete the hat-trick. The lads have got their confidence back now and hopefully we have turned the corner."

But Dr Martens League Western Division outfit Gresley will be no push-overs despite playing a league below Town.

Rovers, who reached the fourth round of the Trophy last season, have enjoyed an encouraging start to the campaign to move into fourth.

And with former Leeds United defender Jon Newsome at the helm, they will be looking for a successful season.

"We know enough about them," said Reed. "Jon Newsome is the player-boss there and they are fourth in the equivalent league to the UniBond first division, so it will be a tough test for us."

There will be no Leeds reunion between Newsome and another ex-Elland Road star, Neil Aspin, with Town's player-coach missing the tie as he is on a scouting mission at Conference side Farnborough - the destination of the Wetherby Roaders in the FA Cup first round.

Former Pickering midfielder Danny Farthing is also missing with a troublesome dead leg set to rule him out for the next three to four weeks.

However, ex-York City trainee Luke Ibbetson, whose father Graham is a former Town star, will get his chance to shine after being added to the squad.

Gavin Connor will continue to offer back-up to his brother Ashley for the goalkeeping spot.

Harrogate Railway will have a rare break from cup action when they return to the bread and butter of the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Rail' have been wrapped up in the FA Cup, the FA Vase and even the NCEL President's Cup in recent weeks, but Paul Marshall will have to bring his troops back to earth for the visit of Buxton - only their ninth league match of the season.

Phil Walker is ruled out through a back problem, while striker Mattie Flynn has a pulled hamstring.

However, Adam Tye has returned to full fitness, while Steve Davey should get the nod to replace Flynn after starting the past few games on the bench after suffering a broken jaw.

There are a few selection posers for Pickering Town boss Steve Brown ahead of the visit of Borrowash.

Brown will welcome a number of key players back to the fold as they look to climb out the relegation places in the premier division.

Pete Vasey, Adam Wash, Gavin Dickinson and Phil O'Reilly should all return, while Jody Chapman and Ben Rhodes should shake off the knocks they picked up in the President's Cup defeat by Railway.

York City trainee Mark Hampshire will continue in goal in place of the injured Kev Martin.

Four wins out of five has breathed new life into Selby Town's campaign and they will look to continue their climb up the rankings when they entertain Brigg.

However, the Lincolnshire outfit are hot on the heels of leaders Goole in the race for the title and will be in no mood to let the Vikings move out of touching distance.

Encouragingly for the Robins, though, Brigg have suffered their worst form on their travels with two of their three defeats coming away from home.

Beleaguered Tadcaster Albion face another tricky encounter as they look to finally open their winning account at home to Long Eaton United.

Wayne Day's men remain rooted to the bottom of the NCEL division one table with just one point from nine games, while the visitors have lost just once.

There have been signs of a Taddy revival, but it hasn't been enough to harvest The Park-based club the points they need.

Harrogate Town (at Gresley Rovers): From, A Connor, Richardson, McNaughton, Sturdy, Sykes, Kerr, Ibbetson, Donaldson, Bonsall, Merris, Turley, Hunter, Marcelle, Whellans, Jackson, G Connor.

Harrogate Railway (v Buxton): From, Neale, Danby, Ames, Wilson, McLean, Stansfield, Watkinson, Gore, Smith, McDaid, Sunley, Hart, Davey, Philpott, Constable.

Pickering Town (v Borrowash): From, Hampshire, Vasey, O'Reilly, Wash, Dickinson, Connor, Crawford, Rhodes, Dale, Wood, Beech, Wilgrass, Anderson, Kamara.

Updated: 12:40 Friday, November 01, 2002