PICKERING Town closed ground on the leaders in Northern Counties East League premier division with a 2-0 triumph at high-flying rivals Selby Town.

With none of the top three gaining points, the fourth-placed Pikes closed the gap to lift themselves into the thick of the promotion picture.

The first half was a keenly contested affair with few chances for either side, with the Robins going closest when Nigel Croad headed just wide.

However, visitors Pickering took the lead four minutes into the second half when James Drinkall headed in at the near post from a corner.

The Robins pressed for an equaliser but the visitors wrapped the game up when Gavin Dickinson scored after a good break in the 67th minute. The Pikes could have extended their lead in the closing stages but home keeper Adam Mitchell made two excellent saves.

Second-placed Selby thus missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Harrogate Railway, whose match at Hallam was called off.

Third-placed Goole blew an even better chance to join Rail at the top as they went down 1-0 at home to Thackley, a team in the bottom half of the table. Chris Sugden got the only goal of the game five minutes before half-time.

Only five points separate the top six in division one after Tadcaster Albion, in sixth, remained in touch with a 2-1 win over seventh-placed Winterton.

Taddy had been guilty of missing chances last week in the 2-0 defeat to Carlton, this time they had fewer chances but scored twice, both times through Matt Howgate in either half.

Winterton netted a freak goal ten minutes from time with a shot by Mark Whitehouse from wide out but Albion deservedly took the spoils.

Harrogate Town had a bad day too as a 2-0 loss at Alfreton saw them lose top spot in Nationwide Conference North.

Town conceded another soft early goal, Mick Godber - who, alongside former York City striker Peter Duffield, caused Town's defence problems - scoring after three minutes.

Harrogate's Mark Haran headed against the post before having to be stretchered off, with Mark Sale securing the points for the hosts with a strike from the edge of the box.

Updated: 10:41 Monday, December 20, 2004