TWO late strikes from Mark Wood saw Pickering Town win the North Yorkshire battle in the premier division of the Northern Counties East League yesterday.

The Pikes won 3-1 at Harrogate Railway, although the home side were a little unlucky to lose by two goals.

Pete Vasey's first-half opener for Pickering was cancelled out in the second half by Kevin Smith but, after Steve Davey missed a good opportunity for Railway at one end, Wood stole the points at the other.

Pickering boss Steve Brown said: "We did not have a good day at the office on Saturday (losing 3-0 at Brodsworth) and were looking to show some character and bounce back, and the players did well. Both teams had chances but we took ours a bit better."

Railway boss Paul Marshall agreed: "We played well in parts but we can't finish at the moment and we gifted goals away, which makes it difficult to win games.

"When we equalised I thought there was just one winner, but Steve Davey missed a clear opportunity after 88 minutes and they went down the other end and scored after we made a mistake."

Selby Town's awful start to the season continued when they were hammered 4-0 at Liversedge yesterday.

The Robins, who were in the title hunt for much of last season, have failed to hit the target in their three games so far this term.

Updated: 11:58 Tuesday, August 27, 2002