Pickering Town 2, Mickleover Sports 2 The Pikes got a well deserved point on Saturday against Mickleover Sports who had beaten them by four clear goals the previous week at Derby.

Mickleover Sports are currently seventh on this form and look a very good bet for top four honours next season.

The game was fairly even. After seven minutes Steve Roberts crossed from the left wing for Rob Eeles to head across goal and save. Two minutes later Mickleover's David Middleditch shot from 25 yards with a right-foot free-kick but Kevin Martin, the Pikes' keeper, saved well.

After 14 minutes Mark Swales set up Roberts who was clean through but the visitors' keeper Gary Hateley came out and saved. The ball rebounded to Matthew Morton whose 18-yard left-foot shot went just over the crossbar. Six minutes later Swales took a right wing corner which found Eeles, who headed over the crossbar. Three minutes later Mickleover's David Holmes, a former Burton Albion favourite, crossed for Middleditch to miss a wonderful chance with the Pikes goal at his mercy.

After 26 minutes Mickleover's play-maker Richard Bailey cut in from the left wing and passed the ball to Middleditch who turned and shot from 15 yards, but Martin made a brilliant save. After 31 minutes Holmes crossed from the right with a left foot, which found Middleditch who headed wide of the goal.

In the 32nd minute the Pikes broke at speed. Roberts crossed from the right with a great cross to Matty Biggins who ran on into the visitors penalty area in front of the Gazette & Herald stand, where he was pushed over by a Mickleover defender. On a signal from his assistant, referee B Hargreaves awarded the Pikes a penalty which was taken and converted by Mark Swales in the 33rd minute.

A minute before half-time Mickleover were level when Channon North turned and shot following a Holmes cross which the Pikes defence failed to clear and keeper Martin failed to hold.

The second half saw the visitors start well, Middleditch twice going close, Gavin Wilson and Pat Lyons also going close in the opening 15 minutes.

Mickleover took a deserved lead after 71 minutes when Bailey's good work paid off with a Michael McNaughton own goal after he had come on as a substitute. Four minutes later Biggins shot wide from 12 yards after good work by Roberts.

The Pikes scored a well-deserved equaliser after 82 minutes when Ricky Greening fed the ball to substitute Liam Salt who ran at the defence before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner from 15 yards for a deserved share of the points.

The Pikes had S Roberts and M Morton cautioned in front of a crowd of 92.

Pikes manager Mark Wood was pleased with a point after the previous week's heavy defeat.

"This was a much improved performance," he said. "It was the best team that we have seen at Pickering since I became manager. They were better at passing the ball than us although I was very proud at the way they came back, looked dangerous on the break, defending well and showing plenty of character."

He added that he was particularly impressed with performances by Steve Roberts, Matthew Morton, Matty Biggins and substitute Liam Salt.

Last week the Pikes Under-19s won 2-0 away at Hutton Cranswick with a goal scored by Stephen Clay and Matty Wilkes. This result means the Pikes have won six of their last seven games. They play Harrogate Town away this week and Harrogate Railway away which is still to be arranged.

The Pikes team on Saturday was as follows: Martin, Pallender, Brunton, Eeles, O'Reilly (McNaughton 64), Morton, Baxter, Biggins, Greening, Swales and Roberts (Salt 75). Wood not used.

The Pikes are away at Glasshoughton on next Saturday and on Tuesday they are at home in their last game of the season to champions elect Retford United, kick off 7.45pm.