PICKERING Town, inspired by man of the match Ryan Blott, are up to second in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League premier division.

With Blott influential throughout, the Pikes swapped places with beaten visitors Hemsworth Miners' Welfare, courtesy of Russell Parker's 86th-minute goal, which, not surprisingly, Blott had a hand in.

It was a sixth clean sheet in ten matches for keeper Harry Andrews and his defence, giving rise to cries of the Great Wall of Pickering rather than the more famous one in China.

Two players were booked for the Pikes – Denny Ingram in the 26th minute when the substitute was warming up and got involved in an altercation with the Hemsworth bench, and Andrews in the 92nd minute after confusion about which way a free-kick was given.

However, Harrogate Railway Athletic went down to a shock 3-2 home defeat to lowly Bottesford Town.

Wayne Graves put the visitors ahead in the 39th minute, Mendes Dionisio levelling eight minutes later, and Adam Carter putting them 2-1 up in the 66th minute.

But Town hit back with goals by Daniel Boulton (75) and Graves (85) to steal the points.

Knaresborough Town still head division one after a 3-0 triumph at Winterton Rangers, courtesy of goals by Blaine Hodson (11), Tom Hesketh (68, penalty) and Brad Walker (77).

Unbeaten Town, who have won ten and drawn one of their 11 games, are four points clear of second-placed Yorkshire Amateur.

Harrogate Town, who beat Northern Counties East League visitors Penistone Church 3-0 in the the FA Emirates Cup, have been drawn at home to fellow Vanarama National League North side Bradford Park Avenue in the third qualifying round on Saturday, September 30.

However, it took until the 57th minute for Town to open the scoring against the south Yorkshire side as Terry Kennedy scored his fourth goal in seven appearances, converting Jack Emmett’s pass at the back post.

Emmett then got the hosts' second, applying the final touch to Josh Falkingham’s shot, before Ben Parker converted Ryan Fallowfield’s cross to score his first Harrogate goal and seal the win.

Town, who kept the same 11 that had beaten Southport in midweek, now face a fellow in-form side as Avenue, who won 3-0 at Southport at the weekend, haven't lost in eight.