DEFEAT at Ossett United tomorrow would not rule Tadcaster Albion out of a play-off push - but they are not eager to go there after two "damning" losses.

A poor week has seen Taddy slip a position to sixth in the Evo-Stik League east division, one place and three points outside the play-off spots.

Last Saturday, the Brewers twice lost the lead in a 3-2 home defeat to Pontefract Collieries and, on Tuesday, a lacklustre Taddy lost 2-0 at mid-table Stamford.

Ossett sit third in the table on 59 points, just three ahead of Taddy, after picking up 13 from the last available 15. The West Yorkshire outfit have already beaten Albion 1-0 in the league and 5-0 in the West Riding FA County Cup.

Club spokesman Jay Taylor said: "After the past two results we maybe wouldn't fancy going to Ossett.

"They're on a good run and it's a tough place to go. They've beaten us twice this season so it's not a fixture we would like after two damning defeats.

"But it gives us a chance to go level on points so it's an opportunity to put it right for the fans who travelled on Tuesday night and give them something to cheer again after two disappointing results.

"Saturday, we were bitterly disappointed. We felt we did enough to win the game, let alone draw, but it was individual errors that cost us and you can't legislate for those.

"But you can't give chances like that to a team like Pontefract.

"We were confident of bouncing back against Stamford and we maybe didn't give them enough respect.

"It was a long journey down, which may have affected our mentality, but we never got going or looked like getting anything out of the game.

"Stamford deserved the victory. They were up for it - like they were going for the play-offs - and we deserved everything we got."

On Taddy's prospective play-off challenge should Ossett win tomorrow, Taylor added: "I wouldn't rule it out completely but it would make it extremely difficult and mean other teams would have to slip up on more than one occasion.

"It makes the game all the more important.

"We'll keep going, get back on track and see where it takes us."

Will Annan and Paddy Miller should both return after missing the Stamford game while keeper Michael Ingham is a possibility having come back from a work trip.

Pickering Town could take another big step towards east division survival when they welcome 18th-placed Spalding United tomorrow.

Premier division side Scarborough Athletic have appointed former Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey as their new manager. The Seadogs travel to Bamber Bridge tomorrow.

Nothern Counties East League division one side Selby Town won 3-0 at Parkgate on Wednesday night. The Robins travel to Rossington Main on Tuesday.

In the premier division, Knaresborough Town host Hemsworth and Harrogate Railway Athletic visit Worksop.

Harrogate Town visit Havant & Waterlooville in the National League.