PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall is looking for a new striker after losing both Ben Hirst and Tony Hackworth.

Teenager Hirst joined the club this summer after his release by York City but has now decided to concentrate on a career outside of the game.

Player-coach Hackworth, meanwhile, snapped an Achilles heel in the friendly against Scarborough Athletic and is out for the season.

The Pikes start their league campaign on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) against Worksop Town, three days later than originally planned, after playing Sunderland Ryhope CA in a hastily arranged FA Cup replay last night.

They had been scheduled to play Barton Town Old Boys in the opening game of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division last night but that fixture was moved to Tuesday September 20 because of the replay.

"It is going to be a tough game against Worksop," said Marshall. "They have finished in the top three for the last two seasons and have got to be regarded as one of the favourites this season too."

Marshall confirmed that Hirst, impressive in pre-season, had been unable to commit fully to Pickering's schedule.

"He wanted to focus on a contract carpet cleaning business that he has," said Marshall. "It's an understandable decision because every player's first priority needs to be family and paying the mortgage. But he has said that he will help out in an emergency if needed which is good to know."

Although striker Callum Ward has returned from injury ahead of schedule, Marshall still wants more competition for summer signing Ryan Blott in attack.

"I may look for someone else," Marshall said. "But as long as we keep Ryan fit, I know we will score goals. He is looking a class act."

The Pikes needed a late Lewis Taylor penalty to avoid an FA Cup exit at Ryhope in Saturday's extra preliminary round tie.

Reduced to ten men following the first half dismissal of captain Niall Tilsey for a professional foul, Marshall's men showed real character to come from two goals behind to snatch a 2-2 draw.

"Pickering teams in the past would have folded in those circumstances," reflected Marshall. "So I was really proud of the attitude and commitment on display. It showed me that we have a winning mentality.

"Losing to poor teams was a problem I wanted to address when I took this job. We needed to be more resilient if we wanted to finish higher in the league."

Tilsley had brought down Ryhope’s Harvey Saunders to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity.

As half time approached, both Ged Dalton and Nick Thompson missed chances to put Pickering ahead. The home side also had two good chances saved by goalkeeper Toby Wells.

Thompson missed another good chance shortly after the interval before Ryhope took the lead through captain Nathan O’Neill.

Joe Melvin doubled the advantage just a minute later when Wells dropped a cross from substitute Daniel Mann.

The Pikes looked down and out but produced a spirited fight back. Substitute Vincent Dheshi replaced Ged Dalton after 67 minutes and immediately changed the game.

Dheshi linked up with Ryan Cooper to set up Ryan Blott's headed equaliser on 74 minutes.

In the next three minutes, Blott had two more chances and George Bissett had an effort saved by Graham as the Pikes swarmed forward.

The pressure finally told in the second minute of stoppage time when Callum Ward was pulled down in the area and Taylor put away the resulting penalty kick.

The winners of last night's replay will play Newton Aycliffe or Washington in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday, August 20.

l Pickering Town Under-15s - players starting Year 10 at school in September - are looking for a new goalkeeper for the coming season. Anyone interested should phone manager Kevin Nicholson on 07809 503190.