Anthony first came to many people's attentions while playing for Atherton Collieries, when he scored a superb hat-trick against FC United. However, he had long before caught the eye of Alan Lord, who was a former Atherton Colls manager and at the time was County's U21 Development Coach.
Pilkington joined County in December 2006, and although initially signed with an eye on long-term development, he made an instant impact on the first team. He scored on his home debut, a 2-0 Boxing Day victory over Notts County. Shortly after he scored both of County's goals in a 4-2 defeat at Shrewsbury, just his fourth senior game.
Two more followed toward the end of the season, leaving him with five in his first half-year. His ambidextrousness saw him play down either wing or even up front.
His development continued and by the Octoberof the 07/08 season he was already seen as one of the first names on the teamsheet. His first goal of that season came during the visit to MK Dons - County were already leading 1-0 well into injury time. Liam Dickinson raced to reach the ball before it went out of play, then played it square to find Pilkington, who tapped it into the net at the near post to secure a fantastic victory.
Later that season, during the visit to Bury, Pilks opened the scoring by smashing a 30-yard volley into the top corner - which later came in the top three for Goals Of The Season. His second goal of the evening, and the eventual winner, was an easier effort as he tapped home into an empty net after an almighty goalmouth scramble.
Pilks played a vital part in County's fantastic form that season, which saw the side make the League Two Playoff Final against Rochdale. And it was Anthony that put County ahead on the day when, at 1-1, a pin-point Michael Rose cross from the left found the stooping head of Anthony Pilkington, whose header kept rising until it reached the back of the 'Dale net.
The 08/09 would see the best football of Pilkington's career so far. His brother Danny, two years his junior, had also joined the club on professional terms.
Anthony started the season in somewhat shaky form, frustrated slightly with missed opportunities, and it wasn't until mid-November, in a 5-0 rout of Yeovil in the FA Cup, that he finally got on the scoresheet. And some superb goals followed - notably a fantastic turn and shot on the volley against Peterborough.
By the beginning of 2009, financial problems began to catch up with the club and, with Pilkington showing the form of his life, he became the club's most saleable asset. During a midweek match at Swindon, he scored during a 1-1 draw and put in one of the very finest individual performances by a County player.
He followed that up with two of the three goals in the next game against Southend, which would prove to be his last in County colours. A number of bids were placed by higher-placed clubs, but Huddersfield Town, actually below County in the table at the time, offered the most money up front. Shortly after Pilks joined the Terriers, continuing his Man-of-the-Match performances for the rest of the season for the Yorkshire side.
He left with a final record of 16 goals in 77(14) games, still only aged 20.
