WITH Bradford Salem and Old Grovians champions of their respective divisions and Baildon and Aireborough now safe from relegation, only two local issues remain.

Both are in SSE North One East – whether Ilkley can gain promotion, be that direct or via a play-off, and whether Bradford & Bingley can stave off demotion.

The Bees are in the highest of the three relegation places and need to win both of their matches, preferably with bonus points, as the two teams immediately above them have to play bottom club Horden, who, although improving, have only won two matches this season.

Driffield, who host Ilkley on Saturday, are on 51 points, while Northern, who are level with the Bees on 48 points, finish off with a derby at Alnwick.

The saving grace for the Bees, however, given their appalling away record, is that both of their remaining matches are at Wagon Lane, with fourth-placed Dinnington visiting a week on Saturday.

"It is vitally important that we stay up as going down is not really an option," admitted forwards coach Ronnie Kelly.

"But we play with a lot of confidence at home and we always feel that we have an edge.

"If we could play away like we do at home, and that has been the case for a few seasons now, then not only wouldn't we be in this situation but we wouldn't have been relegated from National League Three North last season either."

The Bees pack, which can generally look after itself, are without injured stalwart Simon Hill, fellow veteran Roger Raper stepping in, while Tom Bills, who has returned to Wagon Lane on loan from Huddersfield, is at fly half as Shaun Driver has returned to New Zealand.

Ilkley are determined to keep the pressure on leaders Sheffield in what is proving an equally exciting struggle at the other end of the table.

The south Yorkshire side, on 96 points, are a point ahead of Ilkley and visit Percy Park on Saturday before completing their regular-season fixtures at home to West Hartlepool. Ilkley's last match a week on Saturday is at home to Pocklington.