PICKERING Town's four-goal hero Sam Barker hopes Saturday's 4-1 win over Sheffield will herald a new dawn for his side.

The attacking midfielder bagged two goals from the penalty spot and two from open play as Pickering claimed just their second league win this season.

Pickering still sit bottom of Northern Premier League east division but have moved level on nine points with second-from-bottom Bridlington Town.

Barker has made 11 appearances for the Pikes since joining from Garforth Town in September, with these four goals his first in the Pickering jersey.

"I'm really enjoying the start (at Pickering)," Barker said after the win.

"The results haven't really reflected how well we've done in recent weeks.

"(Saturday) showed what we can do and hopefully we can push on and get points on the board."

Barker's first was a confident eighth-minute spot kick to the keeper's right after Donny Holdsworth was brought down in the area, with his second following four minutes later when he stormed through a crowded penalty area to finish from close range.

He brought up his hat-trick in the 32nd minute with a neat angled finish across the keeper from Jack Johnson's ball in.

Sam Ackroyd pulled one back in the 57th minute for the visitors before Barker coolly put an 88th-minute penalty to the left of the Sheffield stopper.

"Last year, I decided as an attacker I need to take more penalties and it was nice to get two of them today," Barker added.

"I've been trying to work on getting in better areas to score more goals.

"I was pleased to do that and take my chances this time.

"It's nice to get my first senior hat-trick."