Slow-starting Pickering Town came back from a goal down against Glapwell to record their first Northern Counties East League premier division win of the season.

James Dooley fired the visitors in front after just six minutes but Dean MacAuley found an equaliser shortly after and it was Danny Brunton who netted the winner after 67 minutes to relieve the pressure on the previously struggling Pikes.

Manager Steve Brown said: "It was a good team against a decent side, who were perhaps unlucky in hitting the woodwork a couple of times.

"We were slow to start and could have been two goals down very early but we showed quite a lot of character to get back."

In the same division, Selby Town were again sunk after a single Sheffield goal from James Parkinson was enough to signal defeat for the would-be title challengers.

Ten-man Harrogate Railway watched their FA Cup dreams come off the track in spectacular fashion at Esh Winning as their preliminary round replay ended in a 7-3 thrashing - despite leading 3-2 at the break.

Goals from Graham Marchant, Damian Henderson and Phil Turner put the visitors into their narrow lead. But five second half goals from Andrew Cuthbertson, Greg Marron, Gary Messer and Steve Burns (2) were decisive.

Harrogate Town chalked up another Nationwide North win at what is fast becoming a home fortress.

Town beat last season's UniBond rivals Stalybridge Celtic 2-0 in a game hailed by manager John Reed as the best performance of the season yet.

He said: "It was a fantastic all round team performance that was even better than when we beat Gainsborough Trinity 5-1.

"We scored two magnificent goals and could have had five or six if it were not for their 'keeper, who made several really good saves from Andy Farrell."

Farrell entered the fray from the bench for his first appearance of the campaign after watching record-signing Lee Morris get stretchered off with a serious ankle injury. He created an instant partnership with front man Marc Smith before heading home a slick five-man move in the 40th minute.

Earlier, man of the moment Colin Hunter scored a 25-yard firecracker - his seventh of the season - to reinforce his presence on the shortlist for the Nationwide North August player of the month.

Morris was today going to hospital to investigate the seriousness of his injury, with fears it could be a break.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, September 08, 2004