Scarborough Athletic beat Blues to start Darren Kelly era on a high note

Boro made a bright start in the opening exchanges, without creating many clear-cut chances.

The first chance of the game came on seven minutes when wing-back Kian Spence fizzed his cross across the face of the Whitby goalmouth.

Two minutes later, Ryan Watson's superb 20-yard shot looked to be heading for the top corner until Shane Bland tipped it over the bar.

From the corner, Boro defender Isaac Assenso had a free header six yards out but placed it over the bar.

On 16 minutes there was a minor scuffle involving Assenso and Town striker Arron Wearmourh, who had been tussling since the kick-off, but no cards were handed out by ref Gareth Thomas.

Twelve minutes later Watson went in the book for a minor foul, and then Whitby had an ideal chance to go in front, Danny Rowe's effort was saved superbly by Taylor then Adam Gell's effort was kept out at close-range by the home gloveman, Rowe firing wide from the rebound.

Just as Whitby looked to be getting into the game Boro opened the scoring.

On 32 minutes, Walshaw played a neat one-two and fired home the opener past Bland.

Boro kept attacking, and must have thought they had scored a second on 42 minutes when Assenso headed at goal but a Town defender headed it onto the bar.

Jake Hackett was booked in injury-time, the last meaningful action of a lively first half.

The home side made it 2-0 six minutes into the second half thanks to a solo strike from Thomson, racing from halfway and outpacing the defence before slotting the ball across Bland and into the net.

On the hour mark Coulson had a good chance to make it three but his 15-yard effort sailed into Bland's arms, after a superb crossfield pass by Fishley and pass from Walshaw.

Whitby started to get more in the game from this point on, and pulled a goal back in the 76th minute thanks to a tap-in from sub Connor Bell.

The visitors then piled on the pressure looking for a leveller, Matty Tymon heading into the side-netting and then in the final moments Wearmouth somehow shooting wide from six yards.

But the home side hung on for the win, and the fans full of confidence after the Darren Kelly era started with a 2-1 derby win against their nearest rivals.