Pickering Town 2, Maltby Main 0; The Pikes completed their first Northern Counties East League double of the season by beating Maltby Main 2-0 at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Late goals by Matty Biggins and Richard Whitfield did the trick as Pikes moved up to sixth in the premier division.

But they did not have it all their own way as Maltby could have scored three times in the opening fives minutes. Jordan Stocks' 25-yard rightfoot free-kick hit the post and was scrambled away.

A minute later Stocks crossed from for Pike's defensive king-pin Michael McNaughton to clear off the line with keeper Kevin Martin beaten. Then Liam Kay's corner was headed over by an unmarked Alan Hobson.

The Pikes first attempt on goal came after 26 minutes when a Joe Connor free-kick taken from 30 yards found Wayne Aziz whose header went just over.

Maltby's Andrew Jones, recently resigned from Alfreton Town, showed great skill when he received the ball with his back to goal 25 yards out. He flicked the ball over his head, turned, beat a Pikes defender and unleashed an unstoppable shot which grazed the top of the bar.

On the half-hour mark the Pikes had a good five-minute spell with Biggins going close with a 25-yard right-foot shot, Danny Gildea then crossed from the right for Rob Eeles to have a good chance but goalkeeper Liam Richards pushed the ball away for a corner. Chris Batchelor's centre found Steve Baxter who beat his man before squandering a good chance.

Two minutes before half-time Maltby's Andy Hirst supplied a lovely through ball to Jones who but a timely tackle by McNaughton saved the day.

The second half started brightly for the Pikes with Batchelor's left-wing cross finding Baxter who shot over and a minute later Batchelor had a crack from 30 yards.

The game erupted when Pikes skipper Joe Connor looked fortunate to escape with a caution in a clash with an opponent. The game was held up for a lengthy stoppage while the three match officials had a conference before taking the action against Connor, who was playing his first game back following suspension.

Pikes keeper Martin saved well to prevent substitute Scott Riley scoring after good work by Hirst, a minute later the Pikes had Richard Whitfield cautioned for a late tackle.

Baxter and Whitfield both missed from close range after good work by Biggins before Connor's free-kick went just over the bar.

Hirst had a good opportunity for the visitors but a timely tackle by Batchelor snuffed out the danger but the ball rebounded back to Stocks whose low 25-yard shot was well saved by Martin.

At the other end, Batchelor's 20yard effort was well saved by Richardson and a minute later Maltby's Hirst linked up well with Riley but Hirst's final effort went wide.

The deadlock was broken after 77 minutes when Maltby conceded a free-kick on the Pikes right wing.

Batchelor took the free-kick short to Aziz who slotted the ball into a crowded penalty area for Biggins to score with a close range tap in.

Deep into stoppage time the Pikes doubled their lead when Steve Baxter set up Whitfield who scored with a well struck 10-yard left-foot shot.

Pikes manager Mark Wood felt his men had edged the match over 90 minutes and was pleased to see them grind out victory.

Pickering Town: Martin, Aziz, Pallender, Eeles, McNaughton, Connor, Gildea (Brunton 86), Biggins, Whitfield, Baxter, Batchelor (Barber 83). Rose not used. Man of the match - McNaughton.