RESURGENT Pickering Town will face the biggest test of their revival when they take on high-flying Shaw Lane Aquaforce on Saturday.

The Pikes made it four Northern Counties East League premier division wins in a row when they found a last-minute decider to beat Bridlington Town in a seven-goal thriller last weekend.

Manager Tony Hackworth's men were two down after 58 minutes but four goals in the last half-hour crowned a pulsating match - as did the first hat-trick of Pickering player Joel Ramm's career.

Now it is title-chasing Shaw Lane, ten points behind leaders Tadcaster Albion but with four games in hand, that come to the Recreation Ground.

Their opponents were in FA Vase replay action last night, at Walsall Wood, and Hackworth will be hoping those midweek exertions catch up with Saturday's opponents.

The victory over Bridlington, meanwhile, was dramatic from start to finish. The visitors were awarded a penalty after just 25 seconds when Niall Tilsley missed a header.

It allowed striker Craig Hogg to run into the area where he was brought down by Pikes keeper Toby Wells.

Wells stayed on the pitch, as referee Michael Gillespie kept his cards in his pocket, and Brid skipper Ashley Allanson stepped up to take the spot kick.

Wells superbly dived to his right and palmed the penalty away. Allanson couldn't convert the follow up effort.

After spurning a golden opportunity from 12 yards, Bridlington were relieved to take the lead on five minutes. Hogg, instrumental in getting the penalty, sent a 16-yard shot inside the post to give the visitors the advantage.

Pickering responded well with Sam Calvert, Robbie Hawkes and Ramm all wasting good chances but only a timely Tilsley tackle prevented Chris Adams from adding to Bridlington's advantage.

The remainder of the first half was end-to-end and Hawkes, Billy Logan, Calvert and Ramm all went close for the home side.

For Bridlington, Adams twice had efforts which were well saved by Wells. The good work from Pickering's keeper seemed for nought when Bridlington went two up 13 minutes after the restart - Adams supplying Hogg with a simple tap-in for his second goal.

Five minutes later, though, and Pickering had levelled the clash. Logan set up Ramm, a former Bridlington player, to reduce the gap and Ryan Cooper, on as a substitute after Calvert had limped out of the action, scored a fine equaliser on 63 minutes after good work from Chris Batchelor.

But back came Bridlington just three minutes later.

Adams got on the scoresheet but the ball had bounced back out off the crossbar. Assistant referee Sam Packer ruled it had crossed the line.

Pickering pressed hard for an equaliser. Hawkes had an effort saved and, six minutes from the end, Ramm headed wide from a Hawkes cross.

Within 60 seconds of that, however, they were on level terms. Brid keeper James Hitchcock was caught in no man's land and Ramm, eagle-eyed, scored from 30 yards.

The goal set up a grandstand finale.

Adams had an effort blocked by Tilsley and Eddy Birch fired over from 18 yards as the game approached stoppage time.

Two minutes into that, Ramm became the hero.

Hawkes crossed the ball from the right and Ramm finished well to put the flourish onto a memorable game.

Pickering: Tilsley, Belt, Batchelor, Patterson (Banks 79), Tilsley, Aziz, Hawkes, Taylor (Fish 79), Logan, Ramm, Calvert (Cooper 49). Danby and Myers not used.

After Shaw Lane come to Ryedale, Pickering will be in action again on Tuesday night when they entertain Cleethorpes Town in the fourth round of the League Cup (kick off 7.45pm).

Cleethorpes hammered Pickering 6-2 in the league in December - Louis Grant scoring a hat-trick - but Hackworth's men have won every game since.