NCEL Premier Division - Pickering Town 3, Buxton 3. THE Pikes came from behind three times in the second half to snatch a deserved point against well-fancied Buxton.

Boss Steve Brown admitted the joy of gaining a stoppage time equaliser was tinged with frustration at some poor defending by Town which prevented them from taking the spoils.

"It was very entertaining and I was very pleased with the character we showed. But we were careless in conceding. All three goals were avoidable and it makes it harder to take as we have defended well this year. If we'd kept it tight at the back, we'd have won."

Brown was still keen to remain upbeat. "I told the lads we've got to be positive as we've got a point after we were 3-2 down after 90 minutes, so we've not lost any ground. We were 3-2 up at Ossett in the first game of the season in injury time and only drew, so we gained something this time."

With the battle for places in next year's restructured UniBond League hotting up - no decision as to how many teams will be promoted has been forthcoming as yet - it was vital Pickering, in seventh place, got something from the game against a side one point and one place above them.

After three pitch inspections, following the new year wintry weather, the decision to play proved a good one as an entertaining game was enjoyed by a larger than average crowd.

The Pikes had the better of the opening 20 minutes. Good play by Matthew Morton set up Mark Wood, but he shot wide from 20 yards. After ten minutes, Adam Russell won the ball on the halfway line. He found Gavin Dickinson, who made a darting run down the left wing. The ball was partially cleared to Alex Willgrass, whose 22-yard right-foot shot was superbly saved by keeper Jon Scargill the Buxton keeper. Wood, Willgrass and Rob Eeles, all had good efforts saved by Scargill in the next ten minutes.

Buxton's first chance came after 21 minutes when some poor passing in the Pikes' defence saw Caine Cheetham, force a save from Kevin Martin.

On the half hour, Pete Vasey had to clear off the line to prevent a lob from the visitors' Graham Poole from going in. Seven minutes later, Poole shot over the bar, but in the 39th minute, he headed Buxton into the lead following a right-wing cross by Bullock.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Willgrass went close but, a minute later, the Pikes were level after a great move.

Russell won the ball in his own half, supplied a square ball to Morton whose superb ball found James Drinkall. The midfielder split the defence to put Dickinson through and he scored with a low and hard 15-yard left-foot shot.

Buxton regained the lead after 66 minutes. Poor Pikes defending down the left saw Richard Bevan set up Poole, who held the ball up well before crossing from the right for Danny Anson to run in and score.

Three minutes later, Danny Brunton cleared off the line to prevent Buxton's Thomas Agus from increasing the lead.

The Pikes equalised after 77 minutes. Wood, Joe Connor, Brunton and Willgrass were all involved before Luke Ibbotson, who had looked threatening since coming on as sub, got on the end of a cross from Ricky Greening.

The see-saw battle continued when, within a minute, sub Jose Miranda crossed for Poole to score his second.

It was not until deep into stoppage time that the Pikes secured a deserved point. A good pass from Joe Connor allowed Peter Vasey to supply a perfect pass for man of the match Gavin Dickinson to coolly slot home.

Pikes team: Martin, MacAuley, Brunton, Eeles, Vasey, Willgrass, Drinkall (Connor, 60 mins), Morton (Greening 72, mins), Wood, Russell (Ibbotson, 65 mins) and Dickinson.

Steve Brown said striker Adam Russell is happy to stay at Pickering, despite an approach from UniBond first division club Farsley Celtic. His brother Matthew, a former Pickering player, has recently joined Farsley.

The Pikes visit Armthorpe Welfare this Saturday. The reserves' game at Garforth Town was postponed last Saturday. They entertain Harrogate Railway reserves this Saturday.

The first team are also at home next Tuesday in the quarter-finals of the North Riding County FA Senior Cup, kick-off 7.45pm, against Marske United, who are currently next to bottom of the Northern League first division.

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, January 07, 2004