Selby Town loan star Marc Thompson became an instant Flaxley Road hero with the goal that ended Harrogate Railway's 100 per cent away record and kept Selby in touch with leaders Goole.

Ex-York City man Thompson, on a dual-club deal with Wakefield and Emley until the end of the season, sent the home crowd wild with his neat 72nd-minute finish that settled a tempestuous Northern Counties East League premier division derby 2-1.

Both teams later side-stepped the issue of the sixth-minute touchline brawl that saw Selby boss Bob Lyon and Railway sub Robbie Whellans both sent from the dugout for their part in an eight-man scrap, seemingly over whether or not the match ball was flat.

The referee was forced to make the game virtually non-contact as another episode of handbags erupted eight minutes later.

The embarrassing scenes that led to Railway's fourth-minute opener cannot have helped. Kris Littler fluffed a clearance and Chris Howarth nipped in with an interception and tucked it under the arms of 'keeper Adam Mitchell and over Andrew Cox's leg.

Only Jason Harris seemed to be keeping his head for the Robins, but it was Adam Wash who struck the equaliser on 24 minutes. A nightmare goalkick by Lee Ashforth fell straight to the Selby midfielder, who knocked it forward to Wash to round the stranded 'keeper.

Howarth hit the post with a header for Railway before Selby's Harris forced a great full-length save from Ashforth and Matty Wain hit a post.

But only Ashforth had the task of picking the ball out of the net after Thompson's winner.

Happy Robins' assistant manager Gary Cygan said: "This is what we have worked eight months for, for games like this."

But he added that Thompson would not be available for today's home match against Eccleshill.

Railway boss Martin Haresign agreed Selby edged it, but said his biggest concern was the injury tally with Phil Turner and Henderson both out of today's match at Buxton.

Leaders Goole stayed in pole position on goal difference from Selby after toppling hosts Shirebrook 3-1. Steve Davey, Graeme Whitehead and Gary Shaw shared the plunder.

Pickering Town were hoping for a sturdier home defence against visitors Long Eaton United today after a Good Friday slip-up.

The Pikes led 2-0 against Liversedge thanks to strikes from manager Alex Mathie and fellow seasoned campaigner Michael McNaughton.

But the demands of their midweek President's Cup exertions against Buxton took their toll.

The hosts, missing four key forwards, suffered a leg-weary fall to be twice breached by Craig Farrand and ultimately have to settle for a share of the points.

Tadcaster Albion similarly drew 2-2 some 24 hours later when they were held by NCEL division one visitors Garforth Town.

Defences, meanwhile, were to the fore as Harrogate Town's bid to go second in the Nationwide Conference was blunted in a goal-less draw at Gainsborough.

Danny Holland twice went close for Town and also had the ball in the net in the 76th minute only to be ruled offside.

Updated: 09:35 Monday, March 28, 2005