Pickering Town slipped down to fifth in the Northern Counties East League premier division after dropping two points at Thackley.

Liam Salt fired the visiting Pikes ahead with the knowledge that a win would keep their noses ahead of Harrogate Railway, but Joel Etienne levelled.

The Rail took full advantage, beating mid-table Glasshoughton Welfare 3-1.

Veteran striker Lyle Hillier drew first blood and youngster James Featherstone added two, one from the penalty spot, to leapfrog Pickering into fourth and close the gap on third-placed Sheffield to just three points with a game in hand.

League leaders Selby Town got back on the winning trail with a 2-1 win at Glapwell despite being behind for most of the game.

The home side took the lead in the 12th minute and the Robins waited until the 80th minute before Jason Harris netted the equaliser.

Adam Wash grabbed the vital winner with just three minutes remaining to keep Selby two points clear.

Goole's unrelenting pressure on Selby continued after three penalties carried them to a 4-0 defeat of Buxton.

Star man Gary Shaw had a hand in three of the goals after setting up Graeme Whitehead for the first then scoring two of the three penalties.

It was also Shaw's shot that was handled by a Buxton defender, who was sent off to watch Joe Gaughan's successful penalty fly into the net.

Harrogate Town were left kicking themselves after failing to find an all-important winner at Stafford Rangers after the home side were reduced to ten men in Nationwide North.

One-time York City striker Neil Grayson was shown a straight red after a two-footed challenge on York City youth team member Steven Baynes, who is at Harrogate Town on work experience.

But despite having an extra player for most of the second half, Town were unable to convert the manpower into goals and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Dominic Krief opened the scoring from a Lee Philpott free kick after following up his initial saved shot.

Leigh Wood then hit the bar with a header before being called into action on his own line to keep out a 39th minute effort shortly before Stafford equalised.

Updated: 10:39 Monday, February 21, 2005