PICKERING Town ended high-flying Tadcaster Albion’s 11-game unbeaten run with a shock 1-0 win at the i2i Stadium.

The smash-and-grab Boxing Day success was particularly sweet for the ex-Tadcaster contingent in the Pikes ranks, not least boss Paul Marshall, who had spent seven years in charge of the Brewers up until 2015, and former Albion favourite Josh Greening - who proved to be the match-winner when volleying home the game's only goal 13 minutes from time.

As well as lifting spirits at Mill Lane following the 5-1 mauling by Sheffield last Saturday, the result lifted Pickering up to 16th in Evo-Stik League east division, three points above bottom team AFC Mansfield in 20th.

They now have Saturday off before hosting Marske United on New Year's Day (3pm).

Tadcaster, meanwhile, have slipped to fourth and face a cracker on New Year's Day away to new leaders Morpeth.

Taddy had considerably more possession than Pickering but were wasteful in the final third

Marshall’s men defended strongly and took their one big chance with aplomb.

Billy Whitehouse and Paddy Miller were recalled to Tad's starting line-up in place of Aiden Savory and Josh Barrett. It was a slow start to the contest but Town keeper Charlie Andrew was called into action after Casey Stewart jinked inside George Bissett and fired towards the bottom corner, the long-range effort being pushed wide.

Tadcaster were dominating possession but struggled to find a rhythm or carve out clear openings.

Number 10 Chris Howarth looked the most likely to break the deadlock. One attempt arced agonisingly wide and another flew narrowly over.

Pete Davidson also strolled through after a one-two with Joe Lumsden but the midfielder never looked comfortable on his left foot and dragged his shot wide.

The best chance of the first half fell to Howarth after Andrew spilled Whitehouse’s cross but the attacker could only slide the ball across the face of goal as the angle tightened up.

Taddy’s top scorer, Lumsden, also had a chance when rounding Andrew but he fired over from close range. He also had a volley blocked superbly by Jack Vaulks.

At the other end, Ged Dalton had a good chance only for Harry Coates to recover with a brilliant last-ditch challenge.

Taddy should have opened the scoring on the counter-attack early in the second half but, when three on two, Stewart's through ball towards Whitehouse was greeted with an offside flag.

Billy Logan recorded a shot on target for the away side but keeper James Hodges was equal to it.

Lumsden had another chance when jinking outside Vaulks but Andrew rushed out to block the poked shot.

The pressure was growing on the Pikes, as Stewart went close on 72 minutes with a flicked header over the bar before right-back Ellis Barkworth's super shot crashed against the far post with Andrew well beaten.

The deadlock was finally broken on 77 minutes - but at the other end, against the run of play.

An inch-perfect chest down from Logan teed up Greening on his favoured left-foot and he rifled a sweet volley into the net from just inside the box.

Taddy pushed hard for an equaliser and they thought they had it nine minutes from time but Whitehouse rolled the ball inches wide of the post with substitute Savory unable to provide a crucial touch.

The Brewers continued to push but Vaulks and Niall Tilsley headed everything away as the Pikes saw out victory.

Meanwhile, Scarborough Athletic slipped from second to fourth in the Evo-Stik premier division when losing 3-1 at home to South Shields.

Farsley Celtic beat Boro's neighbours, Whitby Town, 3-1 to go second while a last-minute winner saw Warrington Town beat Witton Albion and go third.

South Shields are now also two points behind the Seadogs with three games in hand.

In front of a bumper crowd of 1,608, James Walshaw gave Scarborough a 15th-minute lead but Lee Mason equalised just before the interval, Lee Mason gave the visitors the lead 11 minutes from time and Ben Harmison sealed the victory in the dying seconds.