PICKERING Town needed a last-minute equaliser to make sure of a disappointing 2-2 draw with bottom side Retford United at Mill Lane.

It was a very poor performance from the Pikes, as the defensive solidity that has characterised their NCEL campaign went missing and they created little in a game of few chances.

The second-half changes made by Paul Marshall had exactly the desire effect, though, as substitute Ged Dalton earned a penalty for Ryan Blott to convert and Joe Dale struck late on.

Marshall’s side started slowly, with their three-man defence sat far too deep in their own half, and Retford player-manager Mark Wilson nearly chipped Toby Wells with the keeper off his line.

Well set, the Badgers took the lead on 20 minutes as an error from former York City trainee Niall Tilsley allowed Cameron Dear to be played in behind and eventually hack in from seven yards.

Town struggled to bring any purpose to their passing play, but created two good chances in response to going behind; Sam Denton heading on target after a free-kick had been cleared and then Joe Dunnett nodding over in an excellent position at the back post.

After a sluggish start to the second half, Ryan Cooper was introduced and he immediately created a chance for Blott and Nick Thompson who both saw shots manfully blocked.

In searching for a way back into the game, the hosts led their guard down at a corner and Retford took the chance to double their lead on the hour mark as Brad Kilner headed in.

Marshall made his changes with 15 minutes to play and Dale, with his first touch, put Dalton through to be bundled over from behind by Reece Farnhill.

Blott slotted the penalty with confidence and came close to getting a second only for visiting keeper Joe Perryman to pull off a quite incredible tipped save to deny the striker.

Perryman was beaten by Dale in the final minute. A Russ Parker long ball was flicked on by Denton for the winger to send a powerful drive into the top corner from twelve yards.

A minor slump of three games without a win, which started with a goalless draw at Retford, must be addressed but will not threaten to scupper one of the finest seasons in the club’s history.

Pickering stayed in second place with Bridlington Town failing to win.