IN A truly remarkable turn of events, Pickering Town have ensured their survival in the Ebac Northern League division one.

It’s a prospect that seemed almost impossible for Rudy Funk’s charges, who sat at the bottom of the table as recently as two weeks ago.

But the Pikes gained 10 points from their final four fixtures, including three consecutive wins, the most crucial being their 2-1 triumph at home to West Auckland Town in their final fixture of the season on Saturday.

Striker Keelan Grist proved to be the hero for the Pikes, his brace setting them on their way to an all-important triumph.

Funk made one change to the starting line-up from Pickering’s 4-0 victory over Northallerton Town for the must-win clash, with Damian Giliga replacing Tom Alngohuro in attack, while Ben Etherington replaced Brad Mills on the bench.

It took just seven minutes for Pickering to breach the West Auckland defence, with Keelan Grist netting for the second consecutive match after being left unmarked from James Ward’s free kick to power a bullet header into the back of the net at the far post.

Bermudian international Quinaceo Hunt was on hand to turn a fierce Josh Scott strike around the post three minutes later, before defender Max McGuckin was cautioned for delaying the start of play.

But Pickering had two by the 21st minute in spectacular fashion when a free-kick could only be cleared as far as Grist, the striker turning a defender before unleashing a thunderbolt from 20 yards past Daniel Cameron and into the bottom-right corner.

Scott continued to prove a handful for Pickering, firing into the side netting just three minutes later as the visitors looked for an immediate response, but with relegation rivals Thornaby drawing, and Sunderland RCA losing, things were looking good for the Pikes.

Right-back Liam Hegarty fired a free kick narrowly over the bar as West Auckland came out fighting after the interval, and he had his just reward in the 70th minute after feeding Cory Nicholson to set up Scott to pull a goal back in the only real action of the second half.

Kofi Appiah, Liam Love and Alngohuro were given a run out in the latter stages, but the Pikes held on for victory.