The life of O'Reilly means that Pickering Town are poised to enjoy double success in the space of four days.

Phil O'Reilly was the two-goal star of the Pikes' 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy final at Bridlington Town last night.

His brace sets up the second leg at the Recreation Ground next Tuesday, by which time Pickering could well have secured promotion to the Northern Counties East League premier division by winning at Louth United on Saturday.

Enthused manager Jimmy Reid: "It's all boiling up to a crucial week for us. We can be promoted on Saturday and now we have a great chance of winning a cup in front of our own fans on the Tuesday after. We were certainly quite happy to come away with the draw after we were trailing 2-1."

On a rain-lashed night Pickering opened the scoring when 19-year-old O'Reilly finished off a flowing eight-man move by lashing the ball high into the net from 20 yards. Sloppy defence then allowed Bridlington to cash in with two goals just before half-time.

O'Reilly, who has latterly starred in central defence and up front for the Pikes, was not to be suppressed from his role in centre midfield. He surged forward yet again and powerfully headed in a Mark Wood cross for the equaliser to tee up an exciting encounter in just under a week's time.

Title-chasing Pickering Town Under 19s' Northern Alliance League match at Thackley tonight was postponed this morning.

Updated: 12:14 Wednesday, April 25, 2001