Pickering Town's FA Vase heroics came to an end on Saturday after being stung by three late goals - two in extra time.

Mark Swales capitalised on a strong Brian Dutton run just after half-time to fire the Pikes into the lead in the fourth round clash and they looked comfortable until Marlon Stuart sent the tie into extra time following a goalkeeping error by Kevin Martin with three minutes left on the clock.

The teams remained dead-locked for a full 28 minutes of the 30 added on but a Dean Gay volley and a Stuart lob in the 119th and 120th minutes, respectively, broke Pickering's resolve and shattered their chances of making the fifth round with the final score standing at 3-1.

Back in the Northern Counties East League, premier division leaders Selby Town continued their winning streak with a 2-0 triumph over a lively Shirebrook Town at Flaxley Road.

The first half yielded few chances but Adam Wash and Joe Connor both went close for the Robins.

Selby broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half when Jason Harris chested down a long ball and fired home.

The visitors continued to battle away and went close to equalising but Selby regained control and wrapped the game up in the 85th minute when substitute Dominic Graham headed in from a Cameron Stuart corner.

Former York City striker Arron Wilford has signed for Selby from Scottish club Clyde. However, his international clearance did not come through in time for him to face Shirebrook on Saturday.

Harrogate Railway remain in second place in the table despite going down 2-1 at home to Buxton, while Goole's trip to Hallam was postponed because of the weather, leaving them tucked in fourth.

In division one, frustrated Tadcaster Albion had to wait until injury time to finally find the net to take a point from South Normanton Athletic.

After missing a succession of chances, the Brewers, who had ironically been told before the game by boss Jim Collis to convert more chances, were amazed to find themselves a goal behind to a Matt Sherlock penalty with just eight minutes to go having gone close 15 times and having had an own goal ruled out for offside.

But Andy Battersby gained a draw for the visitors with a late strike.

Delighted Harrogate Town caretaker boss Neil Aspin praised the determination of his players after watching them beat Worcester City 2-1 in Conference North in his first game at the helm.

Danny Holland put visitors Town in front on the hour mark after being put through by James Turley, before City equalised in the 79th minute.

But a training ground set-piece from a corner came off for Holland to head in a winner with six minutes left.

Said Aspin: "I'm delighted with the result and the players. They showed a great determination to get the win and the workrate and endeavour was superb."

Aspin's focus is now on dealing with the challenges of running a side with a small squad and even smaller budget with the list of players carrying knocks now extended to five, with a training venue shortage and a county cup replay against Armthorpe Welfare tomorrow to contend with.

To add to the problems, Grant Black followed John Reed to Stalybridge Celtic on Friday, although Aspin reiterated that he was pleased with the squad he has got.

Updated: 10:42 Monday, January 24, 2005