PICKERING Town head into their sixth consecutive away game tomorrow pleased to be off the mark, but disappointed not to have two more points.

Saturday sees the Pikes make the “long, long” journey to Spalding United in the Evo-Stik League east following last weekend’s 2-1 win at Lincoln United and Monday night’s 3-3 draw at Brighouse Town.

But for manager Paul Marshall, it feels like two points dropped with Pickering having led by two goals at 10-man Brighouse with 15 minutes remaining.

Two quickfire first-half goals from Billy Logan and Ryan Blott turned the game around after the hosts' early opener, and Nick Thompson extended their advantage in the 70th minute, shortly after Brighouse's keeper was dismissed for handling outside the box.

With the Pikes tiring, however, Brighouse pulled one back in the 76th minute and found the equaliser five minutes from time.

Marshall said of the game: “We’ve done okay, although it should have been six points really. We’re disappointed to drop two at Brighouse after being 3-1 up.

“But when you go to the teams (then) in third and fourth place and you get a win a draw, you’ve got to be happy.

“We’re off the mark now and that’s the key thing.

“When we play Spalding, that will be six away games on the bounce, so there’s some imbalance there.

“Spalding is a long, long trip for us, so it’ll be an early start for the lads, but we’ll be prepared.”

By contrast, it is home comforts for Tadcaster Albion tomorrow when they welcome undefeated newly-formed Ossett United.

The Brewers kept their first clean sheet of term on Tuesday with a 4-0 win over Frickley Athletic at the i2i Stadium, courtesy of a Joe Lumsden hat-trick.

Lumsden opened the scoring in the 12th minute, tapping in from Casey Stewart’s pass, shortly before Stewart got on the scoresheet with a header from a Billy Whitehouse cross.

Frickley defender Daniel Rowe was then caught in possession by Lumsden, who drove into the penalty area to smash in a low shot before completing his hat-trick in the second half when he again capitalised on a defensive error to nutmeg keeper Hugo Warhurst.

In the premier division tomorrow, Scarborough Athletic host Basford United.

Selby Town are at home to Armthorpe Welfare in Northern Counties East League division one tomorrow while, in the premier division, bottom side Harrogate Railway Athletic travel to third-placed Yorkshire Amateur. Knaresborough Town host Athersley Recreation next Tuesday.

Unbeaten National League leaders Harrogate Town travel to Maidstone United tomorrow.