TADCASTER Albion boss Billy Miller has stressed the importance of maintaining momentum as his side continue their bid for Northern Counties East League premier division promotion.

The Brewers go into the Christmas period on top of the table but it is a position which leaves them sitting targets for the rest of the league's outfits, who the Ings Lane chief believes are starting to raise their games against them.

Albion were forced to settle for a point after Jimmy Beadle's late penalty saw them escape from struggling Parkgate with a 1-1 draw and, although little harm was done to their status, Miller has warned Taddy must expect more of the same as they go into 2016.

"You have got to give them credit and what we have got to accept is that no-one is going to lay down against us unless we get an early goal," he said.

"Teams that get an early goal against us can raise their game and that has certainly happened in the last two games - teams that we are expected to beat can go and play really well.

"Once Parkgate got their noses in front, their management and players stuck to their game plan and they got on top of each other to make sure they kept playing at the right intensity."

The Brewers go to Garforth for a Boxing Day derby battle and Miller is hopeful that the club's fan base will flock to a festive outing at a ground only nine miles away.

He added: "We will probably take a lot with us. It's only nine miles away. They have been a bit indifferent but they have got a new manager in.

"They will be up for it and if you can't raise your game against the top of the league team who can you raise it for?

"They had a decent 3-3 draw last Saturday and they are capable of scoring goals.

"We have got to do and do the right things, pick ourselves up and, with the weather not turning, get a decent run of football in."

With 46 points from 21 games, Miller's men will once again be pushing hard for promotion next year. But, even though they have narrowly missed out in the past, the Taddy chief believes they will be in with a shout if they achieve their targets.

"As far as I am concerned, we are more than capable of reproducing it (first half form)," he said. "If we can do that after Christmas, we are on target to reach 90 points plus.

"If we don't win the league (with that) than we will congratulate whoever finishes above us.

"There's a very long way to go. If we weren't in and around it at the end of March I would be quite disappointed. We have worked really hard to get into this position. We have to continue that momentum.

"We have got the right mentality but it is early days."

Miller will be without Gregg Anderson for the game because of family commitments.

Elsewhere, on a busy day of non-league Boxing Day action, Pickering Town have a derby day clash with Bridlington Town to contemplate in the premier division while, Selby Town, whose last three matches have been postponed, also go to near neighbours in a division one battle at Knaresborough Town.

Harrogate Railway will be hoping the turkey doesn't sit too heavily for their visit to Farsley Celtic in Evo-Stik first division north, while Scarborough Athletic host Spennymoor Town.

Harrogate Town will cross the Pennines to play Stockport County in National League North.