NOTHING could be sweeter for Pickering Town boss Tony Hackworth than a three point haul against Heanor Town this weekend.

The Recreation Ground chief takes his resurgent side, on the back of a 4-1 win against Retford United last Saturday, to their Northern Counties East League premier division rivals with a point to prove.

Hackworth scored but was later sent off as the Pikes went down 2-1 on the opening day of the campaign and, having now assumed the managerial reins at the club following the departure of Mitch Cook, he is keen to make amends.

"We should have got something out of the game but I got sent off in the second half so I do blame myself for the defeat," he said. "I have done my homework on them and playing against them has done me a lot of favours."

Hackworth was delighted as his side scored some spectacular goals in their Retford win. The opening goal arrived after ten minutes and it was a glorious 35-yard strike from Robbie Hawkes, which made the top corner of the visitors' net bulge it was hit with such speed and power.

Retford, lying in a lowly 18th place in the premier division, came back strongly but the Pickering defence stood firm to repel efforts from Adam Lee, Leigh Hutchinson and Jimmy Walker.

They then doubled their lead, 11 minutes before the break, and it was hitman Hawkes who once again produced a brilliant finish. This time, he received the ball from Joel Ramm and let fly with his right foot from 25 yards. It went in off a post.

Pickering continued to press, Retford keeper Tom Fuller having to save superbly from Billy Logan before Sam Calvert unleashed an effort which went just over the crossbar.

Niall Tilsley could have increased the lead as half-time approached but the stoppage in play did not bring the beleaguered visiting outfit any respite.

Joe Danby, Hawkes and Calvert all had good chances early in the second half but Pickering had to wait until the 83rd minute to get their third goal - as the final period of the game saw a flurry of action.

Logan got it and, again, it was a special goal. Struck from 25 yards, it swerved into the net. Three goals then became four in stoppage time as Jordan Outerbridge scored a close range tip-in after a good move by Calvert and Danby.

But dreams of a clean sheet were dashed when Adam Lee notched a consolation for the visitors barely a minute later.

Hackworth joked: "We seem to just score spectacular goals. I would like to see a few more tap-ins. It was another good performance and another three points.

"I've just told the lads to go and express themselves - with no fear and with no pressure on them. They are just enjoying their football, which is not something they were doing before.

"Billy Logan is confident and scoring a few goals and Robbie Hawkes has come back to the club. There has been a clean slate for all the players and we have got some big games coming up."

Hackworth has taken a dug-out role in the last few weeks as he gets up to speed with his managerial duties but, with assistant Paul Burke firmly in place at his side, the Pikes boss said he is not yet ready to hang up his boots.

"When I first took over I was doing it on my own. It would have been quite hard to play and manage," he added. "Now Paul is here I am more than happy to come and play a few games.

"I have got a couple of seasons left in me yet. The lads are winning games and, the way we are playing at the moment, I'll just have to see how it goes."

Hackworth said he had a good squad to choose from against Heanor but he could be without Ryan Cooper, who pulled up in the warm-up against Retford. "Everyone else is fit and raring to go," he added.

Pickering Under-19s, meanwhile, will play their first league game of the new year on Monday (January 12) at Selby Town. Kick off is 7.45pm.