A HAT-TRICK from Mike Braithwaite fired Tadcaster Albion to a 4-0 home victory over Eccleshill in Northern Counties East League division one.

The Ings Lane success moved second-placed Albion to within a point of leaders Brighouse Town, who lost 1-0 to Pontefract Collieries.

Braithwaite netted the first three Tad goals, on 22 minutes, 35 minutes and 52 minutes, with Darren Brandon adding the fourth with seven minutes remaining.

Albion play one of their three games in hand on Brighouse tomorrow when they host Hemsworth.

Pickering Town’s recent run of success in the premier division ended with a 1-0 defeat at Hall Road.

Adam Walker got the only goal of the game on 77 minutes to sink the Pikes, who go to Maltby Main on Wednesday.

Selby Town let slip a three-goal lead as they drew 3-3 at Hallam.

New signing Mark Baronovsky and Ian Beckram scored in the opening 15 minutes and Gary Collier added a third on 53 minutes, but Hallam hit back to level with eight minutes remaining.

The Robins are home to Thackley tomorrow.

Bill Law gave Scarborough Athletic a fifth-minute lead at Maltby Main, but they had to settle for a point from a 1-1 draw.

The Seadogs visit Rainworth Miners Welfare tomorrow.

Harrogate Town were denied a priceless Blue Square North victory as they were held 3-3 at Ilkeston.

Roy Stamer gave the visitors a 23rd minute lead and Lee Ellington bagged a second two minutes later.

Harrogate ‘keeper Aaron Ratchford then saved a 35th-minute penalty.

Ilkeston pulled a goal back on 66 minutes, but Ellington’s second with ten minutes to go appeared to have sealed the win. However, the hosts scored twice in the last four minutes to snatch a draw.

Dan Thirkell’s last minute goal earned Harrogate Railway a 2-2 draw at AFC Fylde in UniBond League division one north. The hosts took a first half lead and Andy Jackson equalised on 52 minutes, only for Rail to trail in the 79th minute.