A DELIGHTED Steve Roberts has hailed the commitment of his Pickering Town team after their dramatic New Year’s Day derby victory over Tadcaster Albion.

Former Tad winger Omar Sanyang won the Northern Premier League east division clash 2-1 for Pickering with a 90th-minute strike within minutes of Eddie Church cancelling out Billy Logan’s opener.

Both sides are in a dangerous position towards the foot of the table, with Pickering second from bottom and Tadcaster just a place above.

But the win gives Roberts’ men something to build on, as well as providing encouraging signs for the Pikes manager following a dismaying 5-2 defeat against Bridlington Town in Pickering’s previous festive fixture.

“There is no hiding the fact that against Brid, we massively let ourselves down,” Roberts said.

“We needed a response and (on Saturday), every single played showed they wanted to play for me and for the club.

“That’s all you ask for as a manager.

“Against Brid, we let ourselves down in every department.

“(On Saturday), they showed what they can do.

“We’ve got to kick on now.”

After signing for Pickering in 2017, Logan has made a name for himself as a reliable goalscorer, something Pikes fans will hope Sanyang - who joined up at Mill Lane in December - can do too.

Asked about his stand-out players, Roberts commented: “Billy, Omar - tremendous. You can pick Harry (Lovick) in midfield out, Jamie (Thornton) in midfield, Harry (Lovick) at right-back.

“To a man, everyone worked for me, which is nice to see when you’ve lost an important game.”