ILKLEY coach Rhys Morgan is challenging his side to believe they are promotion contenders after climbing to third in North One East.

Saturday's 21-12 win at Rochdale saw them go up two places and Morgan sees no reason why the Dalesmen cannot challenge the top two.

As his side prepared for Saturday's clash with West Hartlepool at Stacks Field, Morgan said: "The lads have been amazing this season. In the past two weeks they have beaten leaders Sheffield and one of the form teams in Rochdale.

"I know we said we wanted to make sure we stayed in the division when we first come up, but we have to set our sights higher now.

"Why shouldn't we challenge for promotion? We told the players before last Saturday's game that they had to believe they could go out and beat Rochdale on their own pitch.

"Despite the horrible conditions, they did just that. We made fewer mistakes than in the Sheffield game, we turned the ball over on fewer occasions, and the pack fronted up.

"It was also important that we adopted the correct approach and played the game in the right areas. Tactically, we got it right and it was a bonus to not only win, but to climb two positions in the league."

Ilkley, who will be looking to stretch their unbeaten home run to 24 games against West Hartlepool, are just two points behind second-placed Percy Park who they visit in a rearranged game next week.

Once again the selectors will have plenty to ponder when they meet tonight. Assistant coach Steve Graham is still troubled by a back injury so Jon Hutchinson is set to continue at hooker.

Morgan added: "It is good to have tough choices. Last week we let Steve Burns have a run out with the seconds to get game time and there are players like Jimmy Yale, Dan Nolan, Dan Lawrence, James Crossley, Ed Brown, Will Marlow and Ricky Placio knocking on the door. The competition for places is the best I have known since I have been at the club."