PICKERING Town have appointed interim manager Tony Hackworth on a permanent basis.

The former Leeds United midfielder, who replaced the charismatic Rudy Funk just two matches into the Toolstation Northern Counties East premier division season, will be joined by central defender Jamie Poole as his assistant.

Currently sitting in a precarious 18th place following their first season back in the division since 2018, the Pikes have won just one of Hackworth’s seven matches in charge – a 3-2 victory at home to North Yorkshire rivals Tadcaster Albion.

That run has also included Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Vase defeats to Ebac Northern League sides Seaham Red Star and Penrith respectively.

A statement on the club’s social media read: “The club wishes to announce that Tony Hackworth has been appointed manager of Pickering Town FC.

“Tony has appointed Jamie Poole as assistant manager. We wish them both all the best for the coming season.”

York Press: Rudy Funk was sacked just two matches into the new NCEL season.Rudy Funk was sacked just two matches into the new NCEL season. (Image: Emma Kennedy)

Having lost 1-0 to Barton Town at the weekend, Hackworth will be hoping to turn the Pikes’ fortunes around when they travel to big-spending Silsden on Saturday (3pm).

Tom Waudby’s thunderous 25-yard strike inside the opening minute of the second half proved to be the only difference for Barton, despite the Pikes fielding a much-changed side without a number of key senior players.

Goalkeeper Charlie Preston kept Pickering in the game in a scrappy opening to proceedings, pulling off smart stops to deny both Josh Smaller and Clark Greaves to ensure that the scoreline remained goalless at the interval.

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But any Pickering resilience was broken from the kick-off, the Swans nudging themselves in front 30 seconds after the restart.

A long ball over the top of the Pikes’ defence found Dan Chapman, who put the ball on a plate for prolific striker Waudby to crash his 10th goal of the season into the top corner from range.

And the hosts had a glorious opportunity to double their lead from the penalty spot with 20 minutes remaining, but Preston atoned for his earlier error with an excellent save from Waudby’s spot-kick.

Substitute Damian Giliga came close to an equaliser for Hackworth's side in the dying stages, but saw his effort crash off the crossbar.

Instead, the better of the opportunities fell to their opponents, but neither Sam Cable nor Waudby could convert as the Pikes fell to defeat by the narrowest of margins.