Scarborough Athletic 2-1 Brackley Town Vanarama National League North - Saturday 9th Sept 2023

The division’s only unbeaten record went as a determined Scarborough side won well with a goal in each half. A 90th minute penalty converted by Danny Newton offered late hope for the visitors but there was not to be another two-goal come-back as at King’s Lynn in midweek.

“It is important not to make any excuses when you lose a game like this but we must learn from it,” Gavin Cowan said. “It is obviously a disappointing result but I can’t criticise my players for their attitude and application. They have worked hard. We had a lot of possession but couldn’t make it count. Credit to Scarborough because as much as we pressed and probed, we couldn’t make it tell.”

Captain Gaz Dean’s return to the team was almost marked by a goal as his early header was close. Danny Lewis saved well from Alex Wiles before the Seadogs went ahead on ten minutes through Curtis Durose.

Lewis Maloney doubled the lead on 72 minutes with a fine effort from 25 yards and then Maloney fired too high when well placed just minutes later. Substitute Dom McHale went down in the penalty area and Newton stepped up to finish assuredly from the spot to set up six minutes of added time but there was to be no last gasp denouement.

Scarborough Athletic: Cracknell, Jackson, Maloney, Gooda, Purver, Mulhern (Marshall 85), Colville, Wiles (Tear 63), Qualter, Durose (Coulon 71), Brown. Subs unused: Weleji, Green.

Brackley Town: Lewis; Carline (Matwasa 61), Calder, Murombedzi, Lilly, Dean, Lyttle, Armson, Newton, Crawford (McHale 46), O’Sullivan (Roberts 71). Subs unused: Turner, Bates.

Referee: Matthew McQuillan Assistants: Stephen Birkett and Martin Parker

Attendance: 1415

PIC: By Zach Forster (Scarborough)