RELIEVED Pickering Town boss Mitch Cook said the result was the most important thing as his men ended a two-game losing streak at Liversedge.

Following their 6-2 mauling by Barton Town Old Boys, the Pikes slipped to an agonising 2-1 defeat - thanks to a last-minute goal - against Bridlington Town eight days ago.

But they responded with a 3-1 Northern Counties East League premier division win at Liversedge, following an eventual first half which produced all four goals. Cook wasn’t convinced by the performance of his men but said: “What was important was the result. We played well against Bridlington and got nothing. That’s how the game is.

“The most important thing was getting three points. There wasn’t much to take from the performance. It wasn’t a very good game.

“The conditions weren’t great and it was a bobbly pitch but the lads went there, got three points and got the game out of the way.”

Liversedge stunned the Pikes when Billy Grogan gave them the lead after 25 minutes but they were soon down to 10 men when captain Ryan Haigh was sent off for a foul on Ged Dalton.

Tony Hackworth, pictured, slotted home the resulting penalty and the visitors were in charge from then on. Robbie Hawkes netted two minutes before the break to put them in front and, on the stroke of half-time, that lead was doubled through Sam Calvert.

They could not increase their lead after the break, despite their man advantage, but neither were they troubled by a Liversedge side becalmed by that red card.

Pickering: Myers, Hawkes, Batchelor, Andrew, Hackworth (Coates 45), Cook, Dalton (Henderson 45), Taylor (Hutchinson 65), Danby, Calvert, Greening. Sub not used: Giles.

Cook was pleased with his side’s display in the rearranged league clash against Bridlington Town at the Recreation Ground in midweek - but they got nothing from the match.

Craig Hogg latched onto a long through ball from Craig Palmer to open the scoring and put the visitors into the lead after 14 minutes but the Pikes came roaring back.

Chances fell to Calvert, Dalton, Joe Danby and Josh Greening but none of them could hit the target.

Pickering finally got back on terms after 64 minutes when Dalton, following good build-up work involving Calvert and Hackworth, netted with a 25-yard lob over visiting keeper Ryan Ramsden.

The gloveman subsequently made several good saves to deny Hawkes, Chris Batchelor, Calvert and Danby and, in the last minute, Bridlington broke clear with substitute Tom Lee scoring to nick the spoils and deny the Pikes a point.

Pickering: Bramley, Hawkes, Batchelor, Adams, Hackworth, Cook, Calvert, Taylor, Danby, Dalton (Henderson 79), Greening. Subs not used: Micklethwaite, Fenwick, Giles.

Cook’s men were in League Cup quarter-final action last night (Tuesday) against Long Eaton United at the Recreation Ground and, on Saturday, they will almost certainly be tested fully as they travel to NCEL premier division leaders Tadcaster Albion for a North Yorkshire derby (kick off 3pm).