It was a bad start to the year for all five of the area’s representatives in the Baris Northern Counties East League set-up.

Of the three clubs in the top tier and the two in Division One, not one registered a win in their first league game of 2013.

Brighouse Town were aiming to close the gap on the two clubs above them in the Premier Division when they travelled to ninth-placed Pickering Town.

They were given a boost as they sought a victory when home keeper Aaron Reid was sent off late in the first half. But Town could not capitalise against the ten men with a stand-in between the sticks.

They even went behind as Ged Dalton finally broke the deadlock 11 minutes from time, although Town rescued a point when Tom Matthews struck an equaliser two minutes later.

Thackley also had to settle for a point as they drew 2-2 at Glasshoughton Welfare. The Dennyboys were on top for most of the game but defensive lapses cost them dearly.

Welfare’s Lewis Morgan netted the only goal of the first half just after the half-hour mark.

A 54th-minute Jordan Missin free-kick brought the visitors level and Mark Bett then fired them in front.

But their lead was short lived as, after being behind for just over a minute, Welfare substitute Matty Howgate equalised.

The biggest surprise of the day was Liversedge being beaten 1-0 at home by rock-bottom Lincoln Moorlands Railway, with Patrick Siba netting the decisive goal 19 minutes from time.

In the lower tier, Albion Sports were hoping to re-establish their promotion push but were stunned by a 2-1 defeat at Louth Town.

Albion were second before a run of postponements saw them drop to fourth spot and after their weekend loss they are now sixth.

Jonathon Walton opened the scoring for Louth on the hour mark and although Alex Cusack levelled two minutes later with a free-kick from the edge of the area, Walton was on target again to win the game for the home side.

Eccleshill United were beaten 3-1 despite going in front at home to Knaresborough Town.

Marcus Edwards gave the Eagles a first-half lead but Steve Bromley equalised minutes after the interval.

Colin Heath then gave the visitors the lead and Joel Freestone’s last-minute goal rubbed salt into the wounds.