PICKERING Town slipped to another defeat after falling 2-0 at Barton Town Old Boys - despite player-boss Tony Hackworth demanding his players do not allow the season to dwindle away, writes Steve Carroll.

The two goals were conceded early in the second half - Danny Chambers striking eight minutes after the interval and Scott Phillips doubling the lead after 57 minutes.

The game, which saw Barton complete a Northern Counties East League premier division double over the Pikes, went ahead after a pitch inspection on Friday.

It gave Barton their third win in a week, following two on-the-road successes at Glasshoughton Welfare and Maltby Main, and was their first game at home since January 3.

The reverse means manager Tony Hackworth’s men have now lost three of their last four games.

Their only win in that period came at bottom club Glasshoughton, but they still remain in 11th place in the table.

Hackworth, pictured above, had challenged his side not to let their season ebb away before Saturday’s defeat, arguing that both he and his squad were “playing for their futures”.

He said: “It won’t happen again. We don’t want the season to just dwindle out.

“I won’t allow it to happen. Everyone is playing for their futures - me included - and we have got to start performing again as I know we can.”

Pickering: Wells, Belt, Aziz, Tilsley, Gibb, Hawkes, Ramm (Patterson 84), Cooper, Calvert, Logan (Taylor 78), Simpson (Danby 64).

Pickering were on the road last night, in a league match at Nostell Miners Welfare, in a bid to make amends.

They will entertain Handsworth Parramore at the Recreation Ground this coming Saturday (3pm).

The Pikes won the reverse fixture 3-2 in September, Joe Danby getting the winner.

Handsworth are ninth in the table but gave leaders Tadcaster Albion a real fright in a 3-3 draw a couple of weeks ago and, last time out, they picked up a home point against fifth-placed Staveley Miners Welfare thanks to a 1-1 draw.

Next Tuesday (March 3) will see the Pikes entertain Nostell MW in a quick return encounter (7.45pm). The Wakefield outfit went into last night’s first clash lying 19th in the table.

High-riding Shaw Lane Aquaforce eased past them 3-1 in their last outing.