PICKERING Town's amazing undefeated run in the Northern Counties East League came to an end last night.

The Pikes had gone 21 league games unbeaten, 16 at the end of last season as they won promotion from division one and five in this season's premier division.

But they lost that record and their 100 per cent start to the campaign as they fell to Sheffield 2-0.

Boss Jimmy Reid could not hide his disappointment. "We've had a good run but that doesn't make me feel any better," he said.

"It's wake up and smell the coffee time for one or two of our lads.

"Too many of them thought that because we've won a few games on the trot they only need to get on the park and everything will care for itself, but if any team loses its work ethic that's it.

"We did miss (the suspended) Dean McAuley but in the end Sheffield wanted it more than us."

A last-minute penalty by the NCEL's top scorer of all time, Peter Collier, helped Selby Town move top of the premier division table.

The goal only gave them a 1-1 draw at home to Denaby United but the point was enough to lift them above Hallam on goal difference.

The Robins started well and in the first five minutes Dominic Moyles had two headers cleared off the line.

However, they could not turn their-first half superiority into goals and 'keeper John Collinson, on loan from York City, had to make a good save to prevent the visitors taking the lead before half time.

Denaby were much better in the second half and took the lead in the 75th minute when the unmarked Andy Hammond netted.

The Robins seemed to have run out of ideas but in the final minute Stuart Lee burst into the penalty area and was brought down, Collier blasting the spot kick home.

A last-minute winner by Kevin Duckworth saw Tadcaster Albion go through to the second round of the NCEL division one Wilkinson Sword Trophy with a 3-2 victory at Parkgate.

Steve Batley and Mick Dooler had seen their goals equalised, while 'keeper Lee Adamson had to be stretchered off with 15 mintes left, defender Billy Hicks going in goal.

In the UniBond League division one, a controversial penalty awarded against Harrogate Town player-coach Neil Aspin gave third-placed Eastwood Town a 2-2 draw.

Aspin and Robbie Whellans, with a diving header, had got 'Gate's goals.

'Gate boss John Reed said: "It was never a penalty but they had hit the woodwork three times so maybe deserved a bit of luck."

Updated: 12:23 Wednesday, October 17, 2001