PICKERING Town clinched a crucial three points thanks to a last-gasp wonder-strike from midfielder Brad Mills.

Mills’ goal in the 93rd minute secured a major three points for Rudy Funk’s side over top-of-the-table Bishop Auckland, with a 1-0 win being enough.

The three points sees the Pikes move within three points of 16th placed Crook Town, and level on points with Penrith to escape the relegation zone.

Chairman Wayne Taylor made a bold claim last week, saying that the club ‘will stay up’ and showed his faith in newly-appointed manager Funk to get the job done.

The widly-respected Funk has already begun to sprinkle his own magic on Pickering, with several changes to Saturday’s squad that had six debutants in the ranks.

Despite Bishop Auckland’s intimidating position in the table, it was Pickering who began the better side after club captain Wayne Brooksby saw his effort skim the crossbar after being played in behind by McKenzie Dicicco.

Brooksby came close again minutes later, as his free-kick was palmed away by Bishop Auckland goalkeeper Ryan Cattrick.

Dean Thexton was left feeling frustrated on the brink of half-time as Bishop Auckland began to grow into the game, with his goalbound header miraculously scrambled off of the line.

Heading into the second half, chances were much more limited compared to the first, with Pickering’s defence playing admirably. A key challenge from Paul Roddam denied Thexton again, who looked as if he could’ve been through on goal.

Substitution Liam Love thought he could have a chance to become the Pikes’ hero not long after, as Dicicco fed the forward in behind but another fantastic stop from Cattrick denied the attacker.

And with three minutes of added time played, and it looking as if neither side would be able to break one another down in the tie, up stepped Mills to produce a contender for goal of the season for the Pikes.

Mills won the ball back within his own half before trickily fading between two oncoming Bishop Auckland defenders before unleashing an unstoppable strike from 30-yards out to send the Pickering players, supporters and ownership into jubilation, with them knowing that was surely the game winner.

And they would be correct, with the referee drawing the game to a close one minute later and Pickering securing a memorable three points which could prove to be season-defining against top of the table outfit Bishop Auckland.

Mills will be even more delighted with the result by scoring against the team he used to play for, but was keen to show respect for his former side Bishop Auckland.

“Amazing, amazing feeling,” enthused Mills.

“Bishop Auckland are a fantastic team, I think their record speaks for itself. They’re top of the league for a reason.

“I think we set up really well today tactically, I think it was hard for them to break us down so they had a lot of possession, it was hard for them to break us down but I’m happy to get that goal at the end.”
Mills was a standout player in Funk’s side, and was quick to praise the manager. 
Elsewhere, Tadcaster Albion and Selby Town had both of their games postponed due to waterlogged pitches.