THE fixture backlog looks to be catching up on Pickering Town after they went down to a 1-0 defeat against Borrowash Victoria last night in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

A run of cup games and postponements has left Pickering playing catch up - with the May 4 the deadline for all NCEL fixtures to have been played.

Six games in 13 days have taken their toll on the Pikes players, but there will be no time for rest with a trip to Brodsworth tomorrow.

And the caretaker management duo of Richard Rose and Steve Brown, who only replaced former boss Jimmy Reid after Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Alfreton, know they will have to pick up their weary troops to finish the season on a high.

Rose said: "The defeat against Borrowash was really down to tiredness - I know it sounds like we are making excuses, but I think we could have been out there until 2am and still wouldn't have scored.

"We've got to raise the spirits so we can finishing the season on a winning note."

Tom Reid and Martin Morton could both come into the side, while former York City defender Pete Vasey is expected to be okay after picking up a cut above his eye in last night's match.

Harrogate Railway will attempt to secure a top-five finish when they entertain a Buxton side battling for their survive.

The Derbyshire club are in danger of the drop this season, needing every point to help in their fight against relegation.

However, Paul Marshall's men will be in no mood to show any sympathy as they need just a win to seal fifth place.

Nick Harrison is unavailable so Nigel Danby should start with Adam Tye on the bench. Dean Wilson is also added to the squad in place of Marshall, who made his seasonal appearance in mid-week and set up Rail's fourth goal.

The impressive 19-year-old Matt Whitehead will keep his spot.

Entry to the game will be free for Under-16s.

Selby Town could scupper the championship hopes of Alfreton when the two rivals clash.

After seeing their own title hopes dashed by a poor run of form Selby can show what could have been they take on the side closing in on top spot.

The return of Dexter Tucker provided the Robins with the spark in last week's 2-0 win over Glapwell, and boss Bob Lyon will want for more of the same this time.

Goole can cement their place in mid-table with a victory at home against Arnold Town.

Wayne Day's Tadcaster Albion outfit will be gunning for their tenth win of their division one campaign when they entertain Winterton Rangers.

Albion, who have had to apply for re-election to the NCEL twice in recent seasons after finishing in the bottom two, have made big strides and are clear of the danger this time around.

There will be no let up from UniBond League division one champions Harrogate Town when they entertain Belper.

Boss John Reed has already made it clear he plans to significantly strength his team for their assault on the premier division, meaning the current squad cannot afford to relax in the final weeks.

However, Town's form in recent weeks has not been the best with last night's 1-1 draw with North Ferriby United last night making it just three points picked up out of a possible 12.

Town's fans, who saw the divisional one trophy officially presented by the league before the kick-off, will be wondering how their beloved charges did not take all the points against NFU.

Mike McNaughton, Ian Blackstone and Robbie Whellans all went close to breaking the deadlock before the former Farsley Celtic strike pairing of Whellans and Blackstone combined for the latter to poke the ball home.

Whellans almost doubled the lead and Town were left to rue missed chances as NFU struck in the last minute, with former Wetherby Roader Steve Perrin found the target with spot-kick.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, April 26, 2002