PICKERING Town boss Tony Hackworth is targeting a top-eight finish in the Northern Counties East League – possibly even top six.

The Pikes’ form has picked up since Hackworth took the reins from the axed Mitch Cook in mid-November, with only four defeats in the last 12 games in all competitions – including six wins in nine premier division fixtures, the last being Saturday’s 4-1 triumph at lowly Glasshoughton Welfare.

That run has left them slap bang in the middle of the table in 11th, and only eight points off sixth-placed Bridlington Town, with Thackley next to visit Mill Lane this Saturday (3pm).

Asked what the aim was until the end of the season, Hackworth said: “When I first came we were adrift of teams in ninth or 10th place but we had a decent run a few weeks ago and we got back to winning ways on Saturday.

“We have a tough run coming up when we face Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Tadcaster Albion and Staveley in a week but at the moment we’re playing teams around us and below us and theres’s no reason why we can’t have a run again and get into the top eight, top six.

“The top five are away from everyone else but we’ve clawed our way back up and if we keep picking up points, getting into the top eight or top six is a target.”

Glasshoughton sit at the foot of the table and it took two goals in the last five minutes for Pickering to see them off, but Hackworth did not underestimate the nature of the victory, citing leaders Tadcaster’s recent visit to the same ground.

“I said before the game it’s a tough place to go,” he said.

“Although they’re struggling, they’re fighting for their lives, and the pitch was horrendous to say the least. I know Tadcaster went there a couple of weeks before and struggled to seal the points, winning 2-0 after a late goal.

“We had to be as professional as possible, work hard and do a job, and we did that.”

It was the Pikes' first away game of 2015 and the result completed a league double against Welfare.

Joe Danby put them ahead after 22 minutes but the lead lasted only six minutes as Adam Walsh equalised.

Pickering regained the lead through Ryan Cooper after 37 minutes but, while having an element of control on second-half proceedings, they were unable to kill the game off until late on.

Billy Logan made it 3-1 five minutes from time and debutant Andrew Simpson capped off the victory in the last minute.

Saturday's visitors to the Recreation Ground, Thackley, lie in 14th place after being edged out 2-1 by fifth-placed Staveley Miners Welfare at the weekend.

Said Hackworth: “Thackley are another team below us in the table. That doesn’t count for much, though.

"We have to be professional again and do a job again. If we do, with the quality we’ve got, we’ll be looking for the three points.”