PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall wants his side to underline their title credentials by beating Armthorpe Welfare this weekend, writes Ian Appleyard.

The Pikes, who are currently fourth in the Northern Counties East League premier division, are seeking a fifth consecutive league victory against the club sitting next-to-bottom of the table.

"If we want to be contenders to win this league, we have to be beating clubs like Armthorpe," said Marshall. "They will be tough opponents but I will still be disappointed if we drop any points."

Table-toppers Cleethorpes Town will move 14 points clear of the Pikes if they win tonight against Athersley Recreation but, significantly, Marshall's men would still have four games in hand.

"We are doing very well at the moment," he commented. "I have had to keep shuffling the pack because of injuries but we still keep coming up with the results."

Former Scarborough Athletic midfielder Eddy Birch made his debut for the Pikes in last weekend's 2-1 victory over AFC Mansfield Town.

Birch was signed after midfielder Nick Thompson suffered neck injuries in a motorway accident and Ged Dalton was ruled out with broken ribs.

Midfielders Russ Parker and Alex Robinson also suffered hamstring injuries against AFC Mansfield.