TADCASTER ALBION are hoping for a big crowd as they bid to firm up their position as top flight leaders with a derby victory over Pickering Town.

The Northern Counties East League premier division pacesetters know another three points will ramp up the pressure on the chasing pack, who have started to show signs of stress.

With both Barton Town Old Boys and Brighouse Town dropping points in their last game, Brewers boss Paul Marshall knows victory over their nearest rivals at Ings Lane tomorrow will increase the stakes even further and he is hoping that more than 500 spectators will flock through the turnstiles to watch.

He is aware that a win is by no means guaranteeed against the seventh placed Pikes but he said: "We are playing well as a group and we are looking very strong. We are top of the form table and we are just looking at every game.

"The guys behind us are under pressure to win their games in hand and all we can do is try to pick up points and wins.

"We are still third favourites to win the league but Brighouse dropped a couple of points early in the week and Barton Town drew last weekend.

"I think we brought in players at the right time and that gave new impetus to the team. That keeps everyone on their toes. We are not relying on the same players week in and week out.

"We have brought experience in and the young lads have been tremendous this year. Pickering will be up for it. We are trying to get a crowd of 500.

"It would be amazing to get 400 and the support has been great. It's not just from Tadcaster either but from all over. We have just go to keep the pressure on."

Jamie Williamson is still out for Taddy, while Pikes boss Mitch Cook will be without Jamie Patterson for the clash.

He has got to try and pick his men up after they suffered League Cup quarter-final agony in a 2-1 defeat against Long Eaton United on Tuesday night.

A gruelling tie went through extra-time after Lewis Taylor, with two minutes remaining, equalised for Pickering following Courey Grantham's 49th minute strike.

Justin Jenkins scored Long Eaton's winner in the 99th minute and left Cook and his men heartbroken.

He said: "It was really disappointing. We thought we might have a chance but we were up against a side that came to do what they do.

"It is not the way I would approach the game but it was very effective and we were unable to break it down. Fair play to them."

Asked whether a derby clash was the perfect way to revive his troops, Cook added: "It will help players bounce back if they win the game.

"Tadcaster are top of the league for a reason. They have a settled team, settled management and they have been together for a long time.

"We are under no illusions that it is going to be a hard game. We need to play really well and for them to be off their game - then we might have a chance.

"But if you are not up for a game like that, you will struggle to play."

Elsewhere this weekend, Selby Town go to Shirebrook Town in NCEL division one, while Knaresborough Town entertain Teversal.

Harrogate Town will look to keep their hold on a play-off spot in Conference North following the visit of Colwn Way.

They will be without Leigh Franks and former York City winger Craig Nelthorpe, who is serving a suspension for picking up ten yellow cards.

Harrogate Railway are at Mossley in Evo-Stik League first division north, while Scarborough Athletic go to Bedworth United in first division south.