PICKERING Town midfielder Nick Thompson suffered a neck injury when his vehicle was involved in an accident on the M1 motorway last weekend, writes Ian Appleyard.

Both Thompson and his girlfriend escaped serious injuries but the former York City and Tadcaster Albion player had been ruled out of last night's postponed game at Retford United and is doubtful for this weekend's home clash with AFC Mansfield.

The Pikes had moved up to fourth in the Northern Counties East League premier division after back-to-back victories last week against previously unbeaten leaders Cleethorpes Town and mid-table Athersley Recreation.

On Saturday, the Pikes won 4-1 at Athersley. Striker Billy Logan fired the Pikes ahead with his first goal since returning to club. Nathan Kamara doubled the lead after 55 minutes.

Lee Garside pulled a goal back for Athersley and was then denied an equaliser by the heroics of Pikes goalkeeper Toby Wells.

A second Logan goal after 73 minutes restored the Pikes' two goal advantage and substitute Sam Calvert scored, five minutes later, to give the Pikes a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Last Tuesday night, the Pikes had welcomed Cleethorpes Town to Mill Lane and were full value for a two goal victory in front of a crowd of 134.

The Pikes started strongly and were the better of the two sides.

Niall Tilsley, Joe Danby, and Ryan Blott all had good chances in the opening period before Thompson latched onto a superb through ball from Jules Gabbiadini to score with a well struck 12 yard right foot shot.

Just before the half hour mark, the Pikes went close again when chances fell to both Blott and Kamara. The visitors stepped up their game for the last 15 minutes of the first half with Marc Cooper and Alex Flett both going narrowly wide of the Pikes goal.

Ryan Cooper fired just over the crossbar at the start of the second half with Cleethorpes goalkeeper Liam Higton beaten.

The all-important second Pikes goal arrived after 64 minutes when Kamara raced clear of two defenders before laying the ball to substitute Alex Robinson who scored after only being on the field for 30 seconds.

The last 20 minutes saw the visitors in all out attack mode but the Pikes dealt with everything thrown at them.

Liam Dickens, Brody Robertson, and substitute Kieran Wressel all went close for Cleethorpes but the Pikes held on. The visitors also had Dickens and Tim Lowe cautioned. Blott sent a 50 yard lob over the crossbar as he spotted Higton quite a way from his goal line.

Pikes V Athersley Recreation: Wells, Logan, Danby (Calvert 75), Taylor, Kamara, Tilsley, Thompson, Gabbiadini, Blott, Ingram, Robinson. Substitutes not used: Marshall, R.Cooper. Attendance: 75

Pikes V Cleethorpes: Wells, Bissett (Robinson 64), Danby, Chipps, Kamara (Calvert 78), Tilsley, Thompson, Cooper (Taylor 22), Blott, Ingram, Gabbiadini. Substitute not used: Logan.