TWO early goals sunk Pickering Town as their push for the play-offs took a hit in West Yorkshire.
A Tuesday night meet at the Skye Direct Stadium saw Golcar United defeat Pickering 2-0, after the hosts had stormed to an early lead in difficult conditions.
Pickering had been reduced to ten men late in the match, having been unable to back up previous back-to-back 3-0 victories in the Northern Counties Eastern League Premier Division.
An emphatic win over Rossington Main and Campion, which included back-to-back braces from Joe Wood, had seen the Pikes move to within five points of the play-offs.
That points difference has now stretched to six, after goals from Golcar's Alfie Wilkinson and George Doyle caused problems.
Golcar started on the front foot and were quickly rewarded for their efforts, after an early corner was glanced home by Wilkinson.
Just four minutes later, promotion hopefuls Golcar had doubled that advantage, as Oli Russon's inviting cross was this time turned home by Doyle.
Town nearly found a way back into the contest as Wood found himself one-on-one, only to be denied by Harry Stead, before Connor Avison headed narrowly over the bar.
A quiet remainder of the half meant that Pickering would not register another chance until the hour mark, when Stead kept out George Brown.
And with 82 minutes played, any hopes of a late comeback were dwindled as Jamie Thornton was shown a red card for a late challenge.
Late pinball from Pickering in the Golcar area couldn't be converted, with Golcar claiming the three points thanks to their early antics.
