Pickering Town 2, Brigg Town 2

Pickering Town were just eight minutes away from a crucial victory against rivals Brigg, only for Simon Drayton to snatch a late equaliser. The three points would have been particularly welcome, considering leaders Alfreton dropped points at home to Arnold. However, in a game which swung from end to end, a draw was probably a fair result.

The Pikes started well as Dean MacAuley brought a good save out of keeper Jordan from a long-range free-kick. Six minutes later, Adam Wash combined well with Stefan Zoll to waltz through the visitors' defence, only for his shot to go just wide.

Brigg took the lead after 25 minutes from their first real attack of the game. A bad clearance by Pikes skipper Simon Sturdy let in Lee Borman for the easiest of goals. Within a minute, Zoll was clean through at the other end, but he blazed over from six yards.

After Pikes' keeper Kevin Martin had saved well, Pickering equalised a minute before the break. Dead-ball specialist Joe Connor swung in a free-kick from the right with his left foot, which Zoll met with a superb glancing header into the net.

The Pikes took the lead shortly after the interval. Joe Connor was again the provider as his corner was flicked on by Phil O'Reilly for Sturdy to score in front of the Gazette & Herald stand.

After Martin made three good saves, Sturdy turned from hero to villain as he brought down Borman in the box. But Martin saved Roach's spot-kick to his left superbly.

Wash might have added to the Pikes' lead but, instead, it was Drayton who restored parity. His effort from ten yards sneaked into the top corner as Martin appeared to misjudge the shot.

Boss Jimmy Reid said: "I thought we just shaded it. We've done well, to think we have taken four points off the side who won the league last year and knocked Boston United out of the FA Cup this season. Now is the time for us to go on a run."

Pickering Town: Martin, Reid, J Chapman, Farthing, O'Reilly, Sturdy, Morton, Connor, Wash, MacAuley, Zoll. Subs not used - Willoughby, Beech, Dickinson.

On Saturday, the Pikes visit Selby Town before entertaining Liversedge on Tuesday (7.45pm). New signing Peter Vasey from York City should be available. Two league clubs are monitoring the progress of three Pikes players. Last week, Danny Farthing played for York City reserves and Simon Sturdy turned out for Lincoln City reserves. Lincoln were also said to be interested in giving Phil O'Reilly a trial. Ryan Crawford scored as the reserves drew 1-1 with Rossington Main last week. They have a re-arranged home game this Saturday against Ossett Albion reserves.

Updated: 10:41 Thursday, March 14, 2002