Sheffield 0 - Pickering Town 2. Pickering Town bounced straight back from Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Eastwood with a superb display at Sheffield on easter Monday.

The win puts the Pikes just two points behind Sheffield - known as the oldest football club in the world - with two games in hand on them.

The first ten minutes saw the Pikes keeper Kevin Martin make a couple of outstanding saves from Duncan Bray. Then Pickering skipper Alex Willgrass hit the outside of the post with a good effort.

The Pikes took a deserved lead after 17 minutes - a short corner by Gavin Dickinson found Willgrass, who set up Mark Wood to volley home from six yards for a fine opening goal. Town almost went further ahead when they hit the bar from a corner just before half-time.

The second half saw the Pikes well on top, and they scored their second goal after 63 minutes. Mark Swales received a superb through-ball from Ricky Greening, cut in from the right and placed his shot perfectly into the bottom corner for a fine goal.

Pickering remained well on top and fully deserved this victory after an excellent team performance.

Delighted boss Steve Brown said: "It was as good a performance as we've produced for a long time. It could have been three or four-nil, probably more, which is really pleasing, considering we had three players out (Joe Connor, Adam Russell, Tom Adams).

"We've only an outside chance of the title, but we are certainly aiming for a top three or top four place."

Pikes team: Martin, Vasey, Eeles, Morton, Brunton, Willgrass, M Swales, G Dickinson, S Swales, Wood and Greening (S Baxter, 80 mins). Ellwood and Young not used.

Pickering Town 1

Eastwood Town 3

The Pikes dropped three vital points on Saturday when Eastwood made their first ever visit to Pickering. They proved to be the best side the Pikes have played this season.

Eastwood had done their homework on the Pikes, closing them down and not giving them any chance to play the ball. The Pikes couldn't counter these tactics and Eastwood controlled the game.

After a delayed kick-off due to a late assistant-referee, the first Pikes' chance came after 13 minutes when Alex Willgrass had his shot blocked and Mark Wood shot wide.

Eastwood took a deserved lead after 16 minutes. Bridlington referee Steve Barber played a good advantage after Hutchinson had been fouled by Joe Connor and Peter Knox set up Liberian full international Wael Nazha, who scored.

Hutchinson had a great 30-yard shot superbly saved by Pikes keeper Kevin Martin after 20 minutes. Kelvin Mushambi had a 15-yard shot which was goal-bound until Matthew Morton cleared the danger off the line a minute later.

After 35 minutes, the best move of the half saw Deon Meikle set up Nazha who shot over the crossbar from 18 yards.

Eastwood increased their lead after 41 minutes - a left-wing corner by James Whitehead found an unmarked Paul Gould, who scored in a crowded penalty area.

Martin made further impressive saves to prevent Eastwood going further ahead before the break.

Eastwood started the better side in the second half, but the Pikes stormed back with a goal out of nothing in the 54th minute. A good move, started by Matthew Morton and Joe Connor deep in their own half, found Mark Wood, who cleverly beat two players before supplying a great pass for Alex Willgrass to score with an unstoppable 30-yard right-foot shot.

Immediately, the Pikes introduced their three substitutes. Within a minute, one of these, Ricky Greening, a substitute was very unlucky not to score after Wood set him up.

Eastwood restored their two-goal advantage when Peter Knox scored on the hour in front of the Gazette & Herald stand after Martin could only partially save Nazha's initial shot.

At the other end, Vasey's header found Greening, whose effort was deflected for a corner by keeper Danny Bryant. Kevin Martin made another great save after 82 minutes to prevent Nazha from scoring after good work by Shaw.

Steve Brown said: "We were second best. They'd watched us two or three times. They worked hard to stop us playing and we had no answer. I've no complaints - they're the strongest team we've played."

Tonight (Wednesday), the Pikes are at home to Hallam, kick-off 7.45pm. On Saturday, they entertain Glasshoughton Welfare, kick-off 3pm.

On Saturday, the Pikes reserves visit Ossett Albion, and on Tuesday, April 20, they entertain Garforth Town reserves, kick-off 7.45pm.

Updated: 12:12 Wednesday, April 14, 2004