SING when you're winning may be a terrace anthem cornered by pop icon Robbie Williams, but it's Robbie Whellans' similarly buoyant image which is elevating Harrogate Town to hit-making heights.

Whellans has been singled out by Town manager John Reed as the inspiration for a riotous upswing in form that could net even greater FA Cup glory tomorrow.

Town entertain Lancashire club Burscough in a second qualifying round tie at Wetherby Road. While the visitors' UniBond League premier division status is one above Town, Reed is quietly confident that the hosts can proceed to the third qualifying round and another £7,500 jackpot.

The influence of Whellans may well be the key, said Reed, who went against normal football custom in making a front-man his captain this season.

"It's been said that it's harder having a striker as your captain. But Robbie Whellans is a dream for a manager," enthused the Town boss.

"He is the best striker in this league by a mile, but not only that he has so many qualities on and off the field that inspires the rest of the team.

"Everybody looks up to him and he is always motivating other players. My only regret is that I have not worked with him as a player a lot longer."

Reed however insisted his team were not just a one-man band as evidenced by a sequence of six wins on the bounce to go into tomorrow's tie.

Reed discounted the midweek loss to Bradford Park Avenue in the UniBond League Cup pool because he fielded a side unrecognisable from that which will entertain Burscough.

"If we perform like I know we can then we will get through. There's no question about that.

"My players are so fired up and if they keep that focus they will be fine," said Reed, adding that he did not believe Town's ranks had yet reached their peak in form.

"The whole thing has not kicked in yet. The spirit is great, the work-rate is there, but when we start to really play then I really feel something will happen.

"Let's just say I will be disappointed if we don't get through tomorrow."

A bitter experience of two seasons ago will provide the motivation for Pickering Town in their bid to reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup at the expense of one of the most romantic names in football folklore.

The Pikes, who have already swept into the higher reaches of the Northern Counties East League premier division, play host to UniBond League premier division outfit Accrington Stanley. At the same stage of the cup in 1999 Pickering perished 6-0 to a Guiseley side, similarly superior in status.

Recalled manager Jimmy Reid: "We did well against them for the first half an hour, but then they got away from us.

"However, we've now got a lot more experience. There's not many teams who can boast someone like Andy McMillan, who has played in winning teams at Old Trafford and Wembley.

"We've also got the likes of Alex Wilgrass, who, played in the Football League for Scarborough, and Gary Chapman, who has figured for several League clubs.

"It's a massive game for us, but one in which we can declare we have got everything to gain and nothing to lose. We will be giving it a real good go."

Such infectious enthusiasm was mirrored in the Harrogate Railway Athletic camp ahead of their second qualifying round duel away to fellow NCEL rivals Liversedge.

Heartened by three wins and a draw, including the conquest of Winsford United in the previous round, The Rail are approaching the task with confidence.

While wary of Liversedge's impressive capture of Billingham Synthonia's scalp in the previous round Harrogate's assistant manager Mick Margis said: "The way we are playing we would beat most teams at the moment. We are bubbling."

The Rail will be forced into one change. Defender Dean Wilson is away celebrating his 21st birthday.

That could see John Galliphant, Mark McCloud, or Richard Marshall vying for Wilson's back-three place, or a midfield re-shuffle in which Danny Ames will be deployed in a more defensive role.

Updated: 11:43 Friday, September 28, 2001