Northern Counties East League: Pickering Town 1, Harrogate Railway 2

Pickering Town dropped vital league points to Harrogate Railway, who have now won all 12 away League games.

Railway started the better, with two shots on goal being blocked in the first five minutes. The Pikes began to settle and create their own chances. Good work by Gavin Dickinson and Steve Swales allowed Danny Brunton a chance to score. Dickinson also came close.

After 20 minutes the Pikes had their best spell of the half. Alex Willgrass took a free kick which found an unmarked Matthew Morton to try and head in, but missed. Then a Willgrass move landed at Steve Swales' feet, who allowed Michael McNaughton to fire his shot just wide of the target in the best move of the half.

The Pikes took a deserved lead after 29 minutes. Mark Swales raced down the right wing and crossed for Tom Adams to score with an unstoppable shot into the roof of the goal from the edge of the penalty area.

Railway hit back when Damien Henderson set up James Featherstone, whose superb cross was missed by the receivers. Then another move was put down by Pikes' Morton with a timely tackle.

Eager to capitalise, Mark Swales and Dickinson went close with good efforts but the Railway keeper kept his side in the game.

The second half saw Railway start strongly. On the hour, Railway introduced substitute Sam Warburton and continued to make attempts on goal. Railway equalised after 70 minutes. A good build up sent Featherstone away down the right wing, beating three men for Graham Marchant to score from close range.

The goal saw the Pikes try to come back with a reply, with Mark Swales having a couple of efforts go just wide. But Railway were far more determined and stronger. Warburton went close twice, with only the timely tackle of Steve Swales and a good save stopping the scoreline from rising.

In stoppage time, Railway's Scott Ryan found himself well placed to nod the ball into the goal for a well-taken winner. The loss will make the Pikes' championship ambitions all the harder to reach.

The Under-19 side were victorious in their last home league game against Goole on Monday. They scored twice in each half, with Liam Salt, Dean Craig, Ryan Merron and Ryan Craig taking the honours.

The Pikes are hoping for a similar result when the two sides clash at first team level on Saturday at Goole, kick off 3pm.

Goole play at Victoria Pleasure Ground on Marcus Street. They are the current league leaders, and won 2-1 last Saturday away at ninth-placed Long Eaton.

The Reserves, who were without a game last weekend, are at home to Liversedge Reserves at Saturday, kick off 3pm.

On Tuesday, the Pikes are at home to Buxton in the semi-final of the President's Cup, kick off 7.45pm. Buxton beat Selby Town in the quarter final and are 13th.

Then on Good Friday, the first team are to play Liversedge in a re-arranged match at the Pikes' ground, kick-off 3pm.

The team on Saturday was: Silburn, MacAuley, Brunton, Eeles, McNaughton, Morton, Adams (Greening 65), Willgrass, Dickinson (Baxter 84), M Swales and S Swales. A Mathie not used.

Updated: 10:49 Wednesday, March 16, 2005