GOALKEEPER Kevin Martin made a rare start for Pickering Town and proceeded to give a man-of-the-match display to earn his side a Northern Counties East League premier division point in a goalless draw with Hall Road Rangers.
In a typical end-of-season game, Hall Road had far more goalscoring chances but Martin kept them at bay with several impressive saves.
Pikes boss Mitch Cook said his depleted side – with five first-choice players missing – had done well against one of the form teams in the league, Rangers having improved since Billy Heath took over as manager.
They were fortunate to gain a point, though, thanks to Martin’s shot-stopping.
The first chance of the game actually fell to the Pikes after eight minutes when Josh Greening set up Ged Dalton, who beat his man only for his 18-yard shot to go just over the crossbar.
Hall Road’s first chance came after 15 minutes when a long free-kick by goalkeeper Antonio Pecora found Adam Walker, whose 14-yard right-foot shot produced a brilliant reflex save by Martin. The ball fell to Adam Crane but his 12-yard shot went wide.
The last five minutes of the half saw Daniel Clarke have two good chances, but his 18-yard shot went wide, and than his 20-yard effort was well saved by Martin.
The visitors started the second half in fine form.
Martin Thacker shot over from 25 yards, substitute Tom Chippendale saw an angled drive hit the side-netting and a Crane shot went wide from 16 yards.
Martin made two good saves after 65 minutes to prevent both Grant Normington and Craig Suddaby from scoring.
Dalton had a good chance for the Pikes after 66 minutes but his 18-yard effort went over, and, in the last 10 minutes, Martin saved well to prevent Chippendale and Clarke giving the visitors the spoils.
Pickering: Martin, Aziz, Craig, Adams, C Cook (Gunn 84), N Cook, Dalton, Logan (Baxter 81), Holmes (McNaughton 64), Greening, and Ramm. Clark not used. Attendance: 112.
The Pikes face a derby away to Selby Town on Saturday (3pm), and on Easter Monday they entertain Long Eaton United (3pm).
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