PICKERING Town bowed out of the FA Cup last night, losing their preliminary round replay with Matlock Town 1-0 at the Recreation Ground.

The goal came midway through the first half, but Pikes boss Steve Brown was happy with his side's display against a team from a higher-ranked league.

"We played well and I was pleased with the performance and application of the players, although disappointed we've lost out," he said.

"We had three or four decent chances which we might have done better with, but their 'keeper made a couple of good saves and I'm not going to criticise my players, because I thought they played well over the two games."

Selby Town are through to the next round of the FA Cup after winning their replay at Northern League outfit Newcastle Blue Star 4-2. The Robins found their shooting boots afterfailing to score in their four previous matches this term.

High-flyers Harrogate Town crashed to a 4-2 defeat at Whitby Town in the UniBond League premier division.

It was the second successive defeat for John Reed's men after their 2-0 reversal against Accrington Stanley last Saturday, but Reed said: "We should have hammered them."

Whitby went ahead on seven minutes after Colin Hunter was caught napping but, between then and half-time Harrogate passed the hosts off the park albeit without scoring.

Then on the hour a short back pass by Michael McNaughton saw goalkeeper Ashley Connor collide with the Whitby striker and the referee pointed to the spot and send Connor off. Outfield player Paul Sykes went in goal but couldn't save the penalty.

Harrogate fought back, McNaughton crossing for Hunter to volley home superbly and Hunter then beating two players to send Robbie Whellans through to equalise.

Soon after, however, former Harrogate and Pickering striker Stefan Zoll saw his 25-yard shot go under Sykes for a soft goal to give Whitby the lead, and a late strike made it 4-2.

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, September 04, 2002