Pickering Town did themselves proud away to Northern Counties East League premier division leaders Farsley – and they would have come away with at least a draw but for Lady Luck failing to smile on them.

The Pikes lost 2-1, the winner for the title favourites coming from the penalty spot seven minutes from time.

The first half was a drab affair, with Pickering having the better of what few chances there were.

Lyle Hilier brought a good save out of Farsley goalkeeper Tom Morgan, and later set-up Jed Dalton. but his effort went wide.

Farsley took the lead a minute into the second half when Lee Connor received the ball from a throw-in and coolly placed it past the Pikes ’keeper Robert Clark.

A minute later, Simon Bambrook let loose a powerful shot which hit a post, and Ben Jones also went close for the home side just before the hour.

The Pikes equalised with a wonderfully worked goal after 63 minutes.

A 10-man move ended with Joel Ramm crossing the ball from the right for Tom Adams to tap in from close range.

The game was fairly even until Farsley were awarded a penalty after 83 minutes by Goole referee Nigel Bannister.

Connor played the ball forward into the Pikes area and Simon Bambrook was fouled. Jones kept his nerve after missing his previous penalty kick to bag the winner.

Pikes: Clark, Aziz, Craig, Adams, C Cook C, N Cook, Dalton (Danby 74), Logan, Hillier (Hawkes 67), Greening, Ramm. The crowd was 206.

Pickering host Arnold Town, who are third from bottom, on Saturday (3pm). The reverse clash in October ended 5-5.

The Pikes have been drawn away in the League Cup quarter-finals at Winterton Rangers. The tie will be played next month.