MARC Smith showed why Harrogate Town shelled out a reported £2,000 for the front-man as he struck a late equaliser against Marine in the UniBond League premier division to extend his side's unbeaten tun to six matches.

Smith, who turned his loan spell from Eastwood Town into a permanent deal three weeks ago, secured a point when he rose unmarked to head home Stuart Elliott's free-kick in the 90th minute.

Marine had taken the lead just before the break when Bainbridge reacted quickest in the area to prod the ball home.

The goal was just reward for Town in what was a less than thrilling game for the home fans.

Unfortunately, Town look to have lost the services of on-loan midfielder Darren Beesley, with the one-time Boston player being recalled from Wetherby Road by Worksop Town.

There were mixed emotions for Harrogate Railway's diminutive striker Steve Davey as he saw his side lose 2-1 to Buxton in the Northern Counties East League premier divison.

Davey, the club's leading scorer, had found himself suffering a dry patch in front of goal of late, but he finally ended the barren run with Rail's solitary strike.

However, Phil Walker's own goal and Caine Cheetham's winner saw Buxton take all three points as Rail suffered their second straight defeat ahead of tomorrow night's President's Cup Final first leg fixture at Bridlington.

There was disappointment as well for Pickering, 1-0 victors over Rail in midweek, as they went down 2-0 against Borrowash Victoria.

The Pikes, who looked to finally be turning the corner after a disappointing start to the season, could find no way into the game as bottom-placed Borrowash picked up only their fifth win of the season.

In NCEL division one, Lee Maguire's 70th-minute penalty was all Tadcaster Albion had to show for their efforts as they lost 4-1 to leaders Mickleover Sports.

Dave Middleditch and a Carl Cunningham hat-trick settled the points in Sports' favour.

Updated: 09:12 Monday, March 24, 2003