Russell Slade has been in upbeat mood ever since he took over the struggling Seasiders and after the 3-0 beating of old adversaries Barnet, outlined his footballing philosophy.

Declared the Scarborough manager: "I always believe in performance first and result second and I would have been more worried if we had been playing poorly and not creating any chances.

"But we have played well and in this game, after we got the cushion of the second goal, we were able to relax for the first time since I came here.

"Although we should have scored a lot more goals, I am delighted with the performance - and the result, which on this occasion, matched it."

Slade must have been concerned early on in the game when Shaun Rennison had to clear a Neil Midgley effort off the line.

Later, goalkeeper Andy Woods, back in the side, made a brilliant point-blank save to deny Ben Strevens.

These incidents were very much as a result of breakaways, while at the other end, Scarborough had begun to spurn a host of chances.

Add in another penalty miss - Boro's sixth in their last seven attempts - and it looked as though they were once again going to have a frustrating day.

Dene Shields, who had scuffed his spot-kick straight at Danny Naisbitt, was - apart from this abberation - oustanding.

The pacey on-loan striker from Sunderland set up chances for former York City midfielder Scott Jordan and Karl Rose, and with many other close calls, there was much relief when ex-Leeds United player Paul Shepherd finished off an indirect free-kick move to open the scoring for the hosts.

When Shields got his just reward with a piercing run and superb finish just before the break, the Seasiders were at last in the comfort zone.

Rose impressed again with his touch and strength and the former Barnsley player added the simple third to seal the game, which had ceased to become a contest as Barnet could find no way through a home defence in which Shepherd was outstanding.

However, there was still time for Gareth Stoker to hit a post and for substitute Darryn Stamp to go close twice.

And with David Pounder also finding the side netting a couple of times, the scoreline could - and indeed should - have been a lot more emphatic.

Scarborough: Woods, Dryden, Shepherd, Rennison, Blunt, Patterson, Stoker, Jordan, Pounder, Shields (Stamp, 80), Rose.

Barnet: Naisbitt, Gledhill, Heald, Arber, Olayinka (Toms 63), Niven, Bell, Sawyers, Berkley (Purser 55), Midgley, Strevens.

Referee: R Tiffin (Co. Durham).

Attendance: 1,051.

Updated: 11:31 Monday, December 31, 2001