PICKERING Town, who had Alex Davidson sent off, have lost the leadership of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

They went 3-2 at home to AFC Mansfield, dropping the Pikes to fourth place as they were overtaken by Handsworth Parramore, Pontefract Collieries and the visitors.

AFC Mansfield started the better in front of a healthy crowd of 161, but Davidson had an opportunity for the hosts down the left wing.

Only a great save by Jason White then denied Ryan Blott, Pickering’s player of the month for October after scoring seven goals and having five assists.

The visitors’ Nick Guest then headed against the Pikes bar before Matthew Wilson put AFC Mansfield, scoring from a needlessly-conceded free-kick.

Home skipper Niall Tilsley and Danny Gray were both booked before the interval and Davidson was sent off on the hour for two yellow cards within 30 seconds.

Despite this, however, new signing Ed Cass, returning for a second spell with the Pikes, equalised at the back post in the 73rd minute from a Joe Danby corner.

However, the Midlanders went ahead via Craig Mitchell in the 79th minute and, after Danby had been cautioned, Lynton Karkach made it 3-1 in the 87th minute.

Blott’s goal in the second minute of stoppage-time was too late to affect the result.

New leaders Handsworth Parramore trailed visitors Albion Sports 2-1 before the Sheffielders triumphed 3-2 thanks to goals by Jonathan Froggatt (2) and Jason Yates, whose winner came in the 90th minute.

The Amber Parras are the fifth different side to lead the division this season.

Pontefract Collieries scored three in each half in their 6-1 demolition of hosts Harrogate Railway Athletic, who responded with a consolation effort by Nathan James in the 82nd minute.

The Rail, who have now lost 12 games in a row, are next to bottom.

On target for the colliery men were Eli Hey, Jack Greenhough and Kane Reece in the first half and Michael Whitehouse, Michael Dunn and Vaughan Radford in the second half.

Collieries have two games in hand on the Pikes and AFC Mansfield one, but at least Pickering Town weren’t also overtaken by Maltby Main, who lost 1-0 at Penistone Church to a goal by Kieran Ryan in the 90th minute.