PICKERING Town boss Denny Ingram was frustrated with his side’s fortunes during last weekend's 3-2 defeat to Clitheroe - but will not accept any of his players “feeling sorry for themselves”.

And they have a chance to pick themselves up on Saturday (3pm) when Stocksbridge Park Steels visit Mill Lane in the FA Trophy preliminary round.

Goals from Sam Cable and Matty Turnbull put the Pikes 2-0 up against Clitheroe but the visitors got back into it with a spot kick before half-time and a close-range free kick with 20 minutes to go.

Jake Connelly netted the third to consign Pickering to their ninth defeat of the season and ensure they remain rooted to the foot of the Northern Premier League north/west division.

On his feelings after the game, Ingram said: “Disappointed really. Not with the players’ attitude, commitment or desire or anything like that. I’m disappointed in the standard of refereeing. That cost us on Saturday.

“Every player gave 100 per cent. I can’t fault them. We conceded one sloppy goal but, in my opinion, we would have won 2-1 without the officials. One decision five minutes before half-time gave a team who we had kept at bay really well a lift and the belief they could get back in the game.

“We had to regroup at half-time, we came out comfortable in the second half and created a couple of half-chances.

“Again, a refereeing decision gave them a soft free kick two yards outside the area where I think the referee bought some gamesmanship.

“I’ll take responsibility for players not performing and criticise them when I need to do so.

“But on Saturday, that wasn’t the case. It’s something out of my hands. It’s frustrating.

“For the third goal, fingers are being pointed and we have to take responsibility for that as a defensive unit.

“I thought it would have been harsh to draw the game so to come away with nothing leaves a bitter taste.

“As they say, when you’re down at the bottom, if you get any luck, it’s bad luck.

“But I’m not accepting anybody feeling sorry for themselves - nothing’s going to change unless we change it for ourselves and that’s the message I’m banging home.”

The Pikes made it agonisingly close to the first round of the Trophy last season, beaten by an 89th-minute goal in their third qualifying round replay at Ramsbottom United.

Elsewhere, Tadcaster Albion continue their campaign in the FA Trophy tomorrow when they host Brighouse Town.

Tadcaster will be looking to build on Tuesday night’s incredible 6-1 victory over City of Liverpool in their extra preliminary round replay.

Albion sit 10 points and 12 places above opponents Brig in the Northern Premier League north/west division having played one game fewer.

Brighouse, however, also recorded a sensational victory of their own in their last outing, thrashing Harrogate Railway Athletic 7-0 in the West Riding FA Cup.

Also in action this weekend are Selby Town, who host North West Counties League division one south strugglers Cheadle Town in the FA Vase first round.

Selby have won away to Avro (2-0) and Wythenshawe Amateurs (3-1) in the first and second qualifying rounds, respectively, of the competition.