GOALKEEPER Mark Smith is to stay with Scarborough for the remainder of the season and help their fight for Conference safety.

The former Crewe and Rushden and Diamonds man has impressed since arriving on a short-term deal from Eastwood Town and has helped Russell Slade's men to four points in their last two games.

The 28-year-old's reward is a contract until the end of the current campaign and he replaces Paul Newton in the Seasiders' squad.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper has been released by mutual consent in the hope of finding first-team football elsewhere.

Newton made his first senior appearance for the club last month but Slade then signed Smith to fill the gap left by suspension to regular number one Andy Woods, who could now have a fight on his hands to regain his first-team shirt.

"I can't carry three keepers and the situation we're in the more experienced keeper is of greater value. Those two can scrap it out now," said Slade.

Ironically, Smith signs a new deal just as Scarborough prepare to face a hearing of the Conference board on Thursday into claims that he wasn't properly registered when he made his Seasiders' debut in a 1-0 win over Farnborough Town last month.

It's alleged that Smith's registration may still have been held by Morecambe but Scarborough are expected to contest the charge.

Meanwhile, the Seasiders are prepared to take legal action against Conference leaders Boston over unpaid instalments to the £60,000 transfer fee that took Paul Ellender to York Street last season.

Boston, who are up for sale, are believed to owe £20,000 on the deal and Scarborough will serve notice of a winding up action if no money is forthcoming.

However, they insist legal action would be a last resort and are trying to reach agreement with Boston, who say the matter will be resolved over the next couple of days.

* Chesterfield have signed 22-year-old striker Jamie Burt on a free transfer from UniBond Premier League side Whitby Town. Burt had a spell with Scarborough earlier this season

Updated: 11:36 Tuesday, December 11, 2001