THE last thing bottom dogs Scarborough needed after having been docked three points by the Conference last week for fielding an ineligible player was to lose another three points in a 2-1 defeat at home to Northwich Victoria.

"The character of the side will be tested as we go into the Christmas period," said manager Russell Slade.

"We had enough chances to have won this game, but we gave them a couple of goals and too many of my players had off days. We just weren't sharp enough in the box.

After conceding an early goal, Scarborough had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, but as their former player-manager Neil Thompson has been the only successful penalty taker in the last six attempts by the team, success was statistically unlikely.

Slade could have made more of the miss by player-coach Mark Patterson - which came a minute after Richard Dryden had deflected a Val Owen shot past Mark Smith - as an instant response at that time could have made a big difference.

David Pounder was the man brought down and Patterson's effort had power and direction - but unfortunately far too much height.

Pounder then missed a chance when he was clear again and these misses proved costly when Greg Blundell raced away to double the visitors' lead.

Blundell was a handful all afternoon and, in the second half, set up chances for the ageless Jimmy Quinn and Steve Garvey - both of which were superbly saved by Smith.

With the 'keeper also denying Blundell himself, Northwich were giving a classic display of counter-attacking.

Their defence, although under almost constant pressure, allowed Scarborough just one clear-cut chance, which was neatly taken by Pounder- but there is clearly much to do if Scarborough are to stay at this level of football.

Scarborough: Smith, Dryden, Jones, Rennison (Windross 62); Shepherd, Baker (Elliott 55), Patterson, Stoker; Stamp, Pounder, Shields (Jordan 77)

Northwich Victoria: Gibson, Knowles (Walsh 40), Ingram, Talbot, Barnard; Owen, Garvey, Sedgemore, Devlin; Mike (Quinn 82), Blundell

Referee: B Sygmuta (Northallerton)

Attendance: 986

Updated: 11:53 Monday, December 17, 2001