PICKERING Town assistant manager Denny Ingram has admitted "something's got to change" before the end of the season as the Pikes' disappointing home form continues.

On Saturday, the Pikes suffered their seventh home defeat of the season, going down 2-0 to Stocksbridge Park Steels, who moved off the bottom of the Evo-Stik League east division table with the win at Mill Lane.

The Pikes remain 15th in the standings, but the loss leaves them just two points above the relegation zone.

Ingram said: "We're not playing the way we can at home. If we could put our finger on why, we wouldn't be in this position. It's the same players putting in those good performances away from home but, unfortunately, we can't play like that at home.

"We know we can play football and we know the way we like to play but the players at this moment aren't stepping up to the plate. We're expected to get on the ball and take the game to the opposition. Unfortunately, we're not doing that. If we don't get the early goal, we can't break teams down, and we're paying the price not creating or taking chances.

"Something's got to change and we're looking to do that from now until the end of the season. We can't keep doing the same things without any end product - if something isn't working, you've got to change tactics, formation or personnel."

Lewis Taylor had a good chance to get the Pikes ahead from the spot just before the quarter-hour mark on Saturday, but Stocksbridge's stand-in keeper - centre-half Liam McFadyen, replacing Ed Hall who went off with a dislocated knee - was relieved to see the ball go wide.

And 10 minutes later, Rory Coleman put Stocksbridge ahead with a spot kick of their own, placing low to the left of Charlie Andrew, and Scott Ruthven sealed the points just after the hour, finishing off a fast break from a Pikes corner.

Pickering are back on the road again on Saturday (January 26) when they visit fourth-placed Sheffield FC, who - since their 5-1 win in the reverse fixture in December - have dropped only four points in their last five games on their climb into the play-off spots.

On the upcoming fixture, Ingram said: "We played them four weeks ago coming off a good result away from home and got a real lesson in front of goal - they were ruthless.

"But, starting at training, the boys will be doing everything to make sure the result (at Sheffield) is a positive one.

"We've got an honest bunch of lads here, a good dressing room and everybody sticks together. On their day, when they're all at it, we can beat anyone.

"I've got every confidence they'll keep plugging away and giving it everything they've got."