HAVING won their last six games, Pickering Town are bang in form as they seek to make history in the FA Vase third round at home to Stewarts and Lloyds on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

If the Pikes were to overcome the Northamptonshire side from the United Counties League and reach the last 32, it would be the furthest the club has ever gone in the competition.

Manager Jimmy Reid said: "We want to be remembered for being the Pickering side which has gone the furthest in the FA Vase."

Stewarts are languishing third from bottom in the league, having conceded 42 goals in 18 games, but Reid warned: "They can be no mugs if they've got this far. We lost to Liversedge in the league, who were bottom, so there will be no complacency."

"It's a prestigious nationwide competition and we'll be ready."

Reid has a full squad at his disposal and was still to make a decision on whether to include striker Mark Wood, who is back from a knee injury, in the squad. He scored a hat trick for the reserves on Saturday (see report).

Harrogate Railway 1, Pickering Town 2

The Pikes gave themselves the ideal boost ahead of the big Vase clash with their third consecutive league win. The victory took them third in the table - just three points behind leaders Selby Town, who have played five games more than the Pikes.

Railway had the better of the first half as Ian Hart, the former Manchester United junior, went close, as did Ian McLean, Paul Stansfield and Danny Ames. The Pikes' best chance fell to Adam Wash after good work by Simon Sturdy and Matthew Morton, but he shot wide.

The home side started well in the second half, former Pikes striker Kevin Smith shooting just over. A minute later, Wash was clean through on goal but again shot wide. Dean MacAuley and Alex Willgrass combined well to set up Gavin Dickinson but his shot hit the side netting.

Railway took the lead after 62 minutes through old boy Smith after he was set up by Stansfield. The Pikes drew level after 66 minutes. Tom Reid's free-kick, after a bad foul by Dean Wilson, was nodded home by Phil O'Reilly. Just two minutes later, Reid was unlucky when his 25-yard free kick went just wide.

The Pikes got the winner on 77 minutes after a good period of pressure. Following a good move involving Wash and Willgrass, man of the match O'Reilly scored with a superb left foot shot from ten yards.

Boss Jimmy Reid said: "After going 1-0 down, we showed good character by responding better than they did. At 2-1 up there was no danger and I never really thought we'd get beat. We've got nine points from our last three games which takes the pressure off."

Pickering Town's home league game with Goole which was scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, has been cancelled. It will now be played in the new year. The Pikes' North Riding County FA Cup game with Bedale will be played on Tuesday, December 18, kick-off 7.45pm.

More copies of Steve Adamson's Playing the Game - a history of Pickering Town over the last 30 years - are being made after the first batch sold out. Priced £8, the book can be bought from Tony Dunning's butchers on Bridge Street, Pickering, or telephone (01751) 472627.

Updated: 12:43 Thursday, December 06, 2001