THERE were mixed emotions for Pickering Town boss Paul Marshall at the end of their festive period - but overriding satisfaction the team were in their “best position since 1993”.

Marshall had targeted at least four points from their double-header with Northern Counties East League premier division title rivals Bridlington Town, and that’s what they got, as the Pikes followed their 3-2 away win on Boxing Day with a 1-1 home draw in the New Year fixtures.

It could easily have been six as Brid played almost an hour with 10 men before getting a last-minute equaliser after the Pikes themselves had Eddie Birch sent off for a second yellow card. But in truth, that was the least the visitors had deserved after dominating possession and chances and having two goal ruled out for offside.

Pickering stay second, 12 points behind Cleethorpes Town but with three games in hand. Brid are fourth, four points further back.

“We were disappointed with our performance,” said Marshall, whose side were without in-form striker Billy Logan due to unavailability.

“I’d said I’d be happy with four points over the two games and that’s what we got.

“But when you’re up against 10 men in the second half, we did not perform enough like we could. We missed a couple of chances and gave away too many free kicks and ultimately they’ve scored from one in the last minute. But they deserved to get the draw.

“We had a change of shape because of injury to Russ Parker and being without Billy Logan, and that didn’t suit us. I’m sure we would have won if we’d had them. But it’s one of those things.

“We’re unbeaten in 10 now and we’re in a good position - the best since 1993 I think when we finished second - so we’re doing something right.”

The first half-hour was all Bridlington, with Pikes keeper Toby Wells kept busy as Brett Agnew, Jack Walters, Jamie Forrester and Joel Sutton all went close. Sutton also had a goal from a rebound ruled out for offside.

But they had Tim Taylor sent off on 35 minutes for using foul and abusive language to a linesman and the Pikes took the lead three minutes later with their first real attack.

Denny Ingram crossed, Ryan Blott flicked the ball on, and Rob Chipps shot home from eight yards.

Bridlington remained in the game, Chris Jenkinson heading against the bar from a corner, and they continued to create chances in the second half. But Pickering also forced Brid keeper James Hitchcock into saves from from Lewis Taylor, Birch, Chipps and, with the best of the match, Blott.

Brid had an equaliser controversially ruled out, Andy Norfolk scoring from Walters’ free-kick only for the flag to go up.

But Birch then received his second caution after 87 minutes and Brid got their deserved leveller when Walters’ free kick from the right found its way in via skipper Nicky McNamara.

In stoppage time, Blott thought he’d snatched the points back for the Pikes but he was offside.

Selby Town fell further away from the division one play-off zone after losing 4-1 at Hall Road Rangers - Scott Jones getting a late consolation after Joe Cooper, Jacob Vernon (2) and Daniel Norton had sealed the points for the hosts.

Knaresborough Town stayed in the play-off picture thanks to Brad Walker’s 84th-minute winner at Yorkshire Amateur. Sebastian Carole had given Boro a first-half lead from the spot and Benjamin Cohen made it 2-0 before Adam Shaw and Freddie Swales struck back.