PICKERING Town remain rooted to the bottom of the division after being thrashed 6-0 by Stockton Town.

Pickering's biggest defeat of the Pitching In Northern Premier League east season, which sees them on a run of three straight league defeats, leaves them four points adrift of safety.

Stockton, who are third in the division and have now lost just four of 23 league matches, opened the scoring after just 15 minutes.

Michael Roberts scored the only goal of the first half to put the visitors in front at the break.

The Anchors soon found their groove in the second period, with Kev Hayes doubling their lead a couple of minutes after the interval.

Two goals in the space of six minutes, from Adam Nicholson and Liam Cooke further increased the Stockton advantage.

Hayes ensured that he would finish with a hat-trick by scoring twice more late on.

Tomorrow evening, Pickering host Guisborough Town in the quarter-finals of the North Riding Senior Cup at Mill Lane.

Guisborough currently sit 14th in the Ebac Northern League division one, the tier below Pickering in the NPL east.

Should the Pikes progress to the final four, they would face either Scarborough Athletic, Whitby Town, Grangetown Boys Club, Redcar Athletic, Marske United or Boro Rangers.

Pickering return to league action at the weekend with a trip to fourth-placed Cleethorpes Town.