Pickering Town manager Jimmy Reid says that tonight's top of the table match at Hall Road Rangers (kick off 7.45pm) is the biggest game of his time as the Pikes' boss.

Pickering and seeking their seventh successive win to tighten their grip at the top of the Northern Counties East League division one table. Rangers are five points behind in second place having played a game more than Pickering.

"It is a massive game, certainly the biggest since I came to the club," said Reid.

"If we could get three points it would make it difficult for Hall Road to get back in the race.

"We have another tough game at Gedling on Saturday and if we can win these next two games it would be a massive bonus. If we were to lose both games we would be back amongst the also-rans."

Reid welcomes back former Bridlington youngster Jody Chapman, who missed the 3-0 win over Hatfield Main at the weekend through injury. Also added to the squad is striker Patrick Gaughan, who grabbed a hat-trick for Pikes' reserves at the weekend.

Pickering Town: Mitchell, Reid, Sturdy, Thornton, Wilgrass, Morton, Farthing, Brown, Wood, Wash, O'Reilly, Wilson, Connor, J Chapman, Gaughan.

Selby Town are away to Hallam in the NCEL premier division tonight, while Harrogate Railway have an NCEL League Cup fourth round tie at Sheffield.

Goole were held to a goalless draw at Thackley in a premier division encounter last night, while Tadcaster Albion's hopes of moving away from the drop zone in division one were dented by 2-1 home defeat to Yorkshire Amateurs.

Harrogate Town reached the UniBond League Chairman's Cup final with a 1-0 win at home to Premier outfit Worksop.

Mick McNaughton's first-half header was enough to see off the challenge of Worksop, who have former England winger Chris Waddle in their ranks. Harrogate will play Barrow in the final.

Updated: 12:38 Wednesday, April 04, 2001