Boro slump to new low against Cables

The 3-0 home defeat against Prescot Cables was their ninth Evo-Stik North loss in a row, which set a new low in the 137-year history of senior football in Scarborough.

It possibly shouldn't have been that way though, because Boro had enough chances to leave a visiting Prescot side dead and buried.

But once again they were engulfed by a self-destruct attitude that allowed a workmanlike Prescot to depart with all three points.

The new management team of Steve Kittrick and Chris Bolder are working tirelessly to address this trait and a glaring lack of confidence among the bunch.

But with Spennymoor paying a visit on Tuesday night and then a trip to leaders Warrington to follow, things won't get any easier.

At least Kittrick will gradually be able to welcome back Matty Bloor, Steve Mallory, Pete Davidson and Paul Robson, all of whom watched from the stands on Saturday.

Meanwhile, there were league debuts for Nicky Draper, Tom McNamee, Dave Merris, Shane Killock and Redmond Lee in the starting 11, while Spaniard Carles Lleches-Parra began on the bench.

The whole situation could have been so different had Ryan Blott taken advantage of a slip from keeper Tom Brocklehurst after just six seconds.

But instead of lobbing the ball into an empty net after the incisive break, Blott sent his effort just wide of the target.

Despite missing that great opportunity, Boro continued to control the fixture. That was until the predictable collapse ensued.

With 26 minutes on the clock, Prescot won a free-kick some 25 yards from goal in what was their first real attack.

Sam Staunton-Turner stepped up and bent it over the wall and through the arms of Draper into the bottom corner of the net.

Tyson Stubbings, the young attacker plucked out of the under-21s, then had a great opportunity to restore parity and make his mark on the Boro first team.

But instead of pulling the trigger when the chance arrived, he opted to try and beat his man and the opportunity evaporated.

Things soon got worse for the hosts on the half-hour, as Cables doubled their lead with only their second shot on target.

Staunton-Turner was given far too much space in the area after cutting in from the right, and the midfielder comfortably rolled the ball past Draper and into the net.

This goal was always going to be a bridge too far for a goal-shy Boro, who had managed just four in their last six league outings.

Kittrick's men did create the odd opening after the break, but, with confidence zapped from their play, a flood of goals was never a possible outcome.

Instead, keeper Draper had to be at his best to deny Phil Bannister. Though the Prescot man did add to the lead after 69 minutes, when his driven shot from 25 yards flew in off the underside of Nathan Peat's boot.

By that point Boro had thrown on Tom Corner and Lleches-Parra, who added a little more urgency to the attack.

Blott volleyed wide and Lleches-Parra had a shot saved in the last 10 minutes, before Lee did manage to put the ball in the net, but his joy was immediately crushed by the flag of the linesman.