PICKERING Town slipped to 14th place in the NCEL Premier Division table after two late goals condemned them to a 4-2 defeat at Barton Town.

Goals from George Brown and Ify Ofoegbu had seen the Pikes twice pull back level, but Ali Spencer Aydemir and Charlie Clements struck inside the final 10 minutes to ensure the points remained in Lincolnshire.

Tony Hackworth made two changes from last weekend’s defeat against Albion Sports, with Jamie Thornton and Joe Wood coming back into the starting line-up.

Under 18 prospect Alex Dunning and rising Scarborough Reserves talent Ryder Greening both made debuts off the bench.

Pickering found themselves behind after just seven minutes, Tom Waudby sweeping home a right-wing delivery to open the scoring.

However, they did respond well and Brown headed home Ben Leyland’s pin-point cross just six minutes later.

Barton though restored their lead shortly before the break, Andrew Norfolk’s effort ruled to have just crossed the line despite the visitors’ best efforts.

The Pikes did have a chance to level the scores on the stroke of half time, but Harry Lovick’s free-kick whistled past the post.

Hackworth’s side were much improved during the second half, but errors proved costly as the hope of a point faded away.

Goalkeeper Alfie Burnett made a superb save to prevent Barton’s third on 65 minutes, before Pickering had two strong handball appeals waved away.

Lovick then fired into the side netting but an equaliser did come their way with just over 10 minutes remaining, Thornton playing in Ofoegbu, who held his nerve with a composed finish.

But as the Pikes pushed for a winner, Barton twice hit them on the break to wrap up victory.

Despite Burnett pulling off another impressive save, Spencer Aydemir fired the hosts back in front with eight minutes remaining before Clements added a fourth.

Pickering will hope to make a winning return to action at Bottesford Town on Saturday (3pm).