THE persuasive powers of former Scarborough manager Mick Wadsworth have lured club mainstay Ray McHale away from the beleaguered Conference club.

The Boro assistant manager was today starting a new career as chife scout at Oldham, who last month appointed former Boro boss Mick Wadsworth as manager of the Second Division Lancashire club.

McHale's departure comes shortly after Boro appointed one-time Notts County chief Russell Slade to the Boro hot-seat.

Declared McHale, who has twice served as Boro manager as well as assistant, and initially as a player, in his 14-year association with the McCain Stadium outfit: "It was a very hard decision to make as Russ has been like a breath of fresh air at the club and it looks as though he is going to turn things around and survival in the Conference is now more than a distant dream.

"Mick is a very persuasive man and it is obviously something that is very attractive to me and going back into the League is obviously a big draw."

Boro boss Slade was unable to sway McHale to stay.

He told the Evening Press: "I tried to talk Ray into staying but I appreciate he had a decision to make and we wish him all the best at Oldham"

Turning his attention to the clash against Forest Green tomorrow Slade will include in defence his latest signing Richard Dryden for the trip to the Cotswolds with Romain Faure carrying a knock and considered doubtful.

Slade has been cheered by the news that leading scorer Darryn Stamp has recovered from his hamstring injury and is likely to start with Gareth Stoker also returning.

Forest Green bowed out of the FA Cup to Macclesfield on Wednesday night in a marathon penalty shoot-out stretching to 22 spot-kicks after extra time. They may suffer a reaction as a result of those exertions.

"I was at the game running the rule over Forest Green and I have to say I wasn't too upset when the game went to extra time," said Slade.

The Boro boss will be looking to build on last week's 1-0 win over Farnborough to try and reduce the gap between his team, who are still rooted to the foot of the Conference, and the clubs above.

Boro from: Smith, Blunt, Rennison Jones, Dryden, Patterson Baker, Jordan, Pounder, Stamp Shields Elliott, Windross, Newton, Stoker, Sherwood.

Meanwhile, Malton-born striker Arron Wilford, who had a spell with Boro earlier in the season, is currently training with Harrogate Town after being released by Premiership Middlesbrough.

UniBond League division one hot-shots Harrogate will switch their attention to the FA Umbro Trophy tomorrow when they travel to Kendal.

Town are currently on a run of 16 games without a defeat in the league - including a 1-0 win over Kendal on Saturday - but it is the lure of the cup which will occupy the mind of manager John Reed.

Having enjoyed success in the FA Vase with Bridlington, Reed would love to add the Trophy to his impressive collection of honours, although it is the league championship which he craves the most.

Reed is expected to name a strong squad for the trip, and has even recalled Paul Stansfield from his loan spell at Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Updated: 12:46 Friday, November 30, 2001