PICKERING Town boss Steve Roberts believes his charges "must learn fast" about being better in front of both goals.

The Pikes remain without a home win in this Northern Premier League east division season following Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Mill Lane to Worksop Town.

Only Tadcaster Albion - who had no game at the weekend - sit below Pickering in the 19-team table.

Jackson Jowett opened the scoring for the Pikes midway through the first half against fifth-placed Worksop in a promising opening period for the hosts.

But goals from Steven McDonnell and Liam Bateman turned the tide to Worksop's advantage by the break before James Baxendale netted a second-half brace to secure the win.

Jack Johnson had the chance to reduce the arrears with an 83rd-minute penalty but his effort down the middle was saved.

Roberts said: "It's one of them I can't take because of the fact that - it sounds stupid when you've lost 4-1 - I think we've played okay at times.

"We were 1-0 and I'm thinking we're going to go on and win the game. We're controlling the game. We started really bright.

"Then we gift silly goals, which costs you at any level.

"The annoying thing is you've played alright and it looks like you've been absolutely hammered.

"It's a tough one to take today.

"We need to dust ourselves down and go again.

"We need to learn and learn fast that we need to improve at both ends of the pitch."

On Jowett's strike, driven in from 20 yards out, Roberts commented: "It's a really good goal.

"He's shifted the ball inside and it's a great finish.

"But we've had other chances - it's just the quality of the pass.

"They've got to be ruthless in both boxes. That's scoring goals, making chances and not conceding daft goals.

"We've got to improve at both ends of the pitch.

"I'm devastated about the result but we've played alright at times. That's the daft thing about it."

Pickering host Ramsbottom United in the FA Trophy second qualifying round at the weekend and Tadcaster welcome Runcorn Linnets.