Title-chasing Pickering Town face another tough fixture tomorrow when they host fifth-placed Long Eaton United.

The Derbyshire side lie six points behind the Pikes in the Northern Counties East League premier division but have three games in hand.

However, Pickering chairman Tony Dunning is full of confidence on the back of last weekend’s victory over North Yorkshire rivals Selby Town.

He declared: “It was one of the best performances at home I can remember. With 200 people turning up we had a great support.”

Pickering salvaged a late draw with Long Eaton earlier in the season and on the eve of the return clash Dunning highlighted the importance of the home crowd.

“They’ve got three games in hand so they could move above everybody. But we should be okay if we get good support because it makes all the difference.”

Last week’s victory over Selby was largely down to two-goal striker Luke Ibbetson, with whom the Pikes chairman has been impressed.

“Luke’s doing well now. He’s in much better physical shape now than he was earlier in the season. He’s coming back into form and he’s now scoring goals.”

Meanwhile, their beaten opponents Selby Town travel to eighth-placed Hallam. Assistant manager Gary Cygan believes a win is essential.

“It’s very important we get three points on Saturday. They beat us 2-1 at home (earlier in the season) so we need to win this one.”

And he says he hopes his players have recovered from last week’s derby loss. “We’ve got the players in tonight so we’ll see how that goes.

“We need to go on a run this month to get us back up towards the top of the table,” he added.

A key player for the Robins this term has been ex-York City player Christian Fox and Cygan has been pleased with his contribution.

Said the Robins’ assistant boss: “He’s a hell of a player. He can turn the game on his own.”

Scarborough Athletic, runaway leaders in NCEL Division One, travel to second-from-bottom Grimsby Borough. The Seadogs have lost just once all season and have scored 18 goals in their last five games.

Elsewhere, Blue Square North side Harrogate Town will entertain Burscough tomorrow.

The home side, currently lying in the final play-off spot, will be confident of victory over a side in the relegation zone.

However, the visitors have won four times away from home this season. Town won this season’s corresponding fixture 2-0.

Meanwhile, neighbours Harrogate Railway travel to promotion-chasing Osset Albion in Northern League Division One.

Confidence will be high in the Station View side after defeating league leaders Halifax Town in their last match.