PICKERING Town manager Paul Marshall has expressed disappointment at the departure of defender Matty Turnbull to neighbours Scarborough Athletic.

Turnbull, who was the club's Player of the Year last season, made his final appearance for the Pikes in last Tuesday night's Northern Counties East League Cup victory over Hall Road Rangers.

The former Selby Town defender had been told he would not be involved against Bridlington Town in the FA Vase on Sunday after breaking club rules by turning out for Old Malton St Mary's reserves in the York Minster Engineering League without permission.

Turnbull duly signed for Scarborough and made his debut in last Saturday's Evo-Stik League division one north victory against Ramsbottom United.

"I am disappointed by his decision to go to Scarborough because I would have preferred him to stay," Marshall admitted. "But there are rules at this club and all players have to abide by them.

"From his point of view, it is a footballing move and he wants to see if he can hold his own at a higher level. There are no hard feelings from our point of view and we wish him good luck at his new club."

Despite Turnbull's departure, Pickering extended their impressive run of form with a 1-0 victory over Bridlington last Sunday to progress in the FA Vase.

A last-minute penalty from Lewis Taylor secured the win and the Pikes now host Northern League promotion-chasers Shildon in the second round proper on November 12.

"It was not our best performance of the season but I was delighted by the result against a very determined side," reflected Marshall.

"Shildon will be an extremely tough game. You don't want to draw any team from the Northern League if you can help it - but we have drawn one of the best."

Marshall's men return to Northern Counties East League premier division action tomorrow with a six-pointer at home to promotion rivals Handsworth Parramore, who, after a 2-1 midweek defeat at high-riding Thackley, sit just two points above seventh-placed Pickering having played three more games.

One of the biggest spenders in the division, Handsworth further boosted their promotion push on Monday with a swoop for the division's 21-goal leading scorer, Rainworth Miners Welfare striker Adam Moxam.

The Pikes will be without midfielder Nathan Kamara, who is serving the second game of a three-game ban.

Harrogate Railway Athletic will be hoping their big win over Maltby Main is further proof they have finally turned the corner.

The Rail, after relegation from the Evo-Stik League, have been struggling in the NCEL premier division, too, leading to Lee Ashworth's resignation as manager last month and Paul Beesley returning to the club from Scarborough Athletic as player-boss.

It took Beesley six games to get his first win but last Saturday's 5-1 victory, by far their best of term, in which he opened the scoring himself, made it only one defeat in the last six.

They go to mid-table Clipstone tomorrow.