SCARBOROUGH's new manager Russell Slade said after the Seasiders had marked his first game in charge with a 1-0 Nationwide Conference win at home to Farnborough: "It's a good start."

Slade added: "Now we have to repeat this another nine times to stay in the Conference - and we have 22 games to do it."

Four players made their debut in this game and another, Scott Jordan, made his first appearance of the season after injuring his ankle in July.

Former Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper Mark Smith replaced the suspended Andy Woods and the veteran Mark Patterson, in his role as player-coach, was in midfield.

The experienced Steve Baker has signed from Middlesbrough, whilst Dean Shields, a young Scot who cost Sunderland £70,000 when he signed from Raith Rovers, was in attack after coming from the Black Cats on loan.

Little wonder then that Slade was a happy man after this victory, which saw the team keep its first clean sheet of the season.

"I asked the players before the game whether they wanted to get involved in a relegation dog fight - because we weren't at that moment.

"After the game, I was able to tell them that we had now joined in that fight and I was absolutely delighted with the effort and performance they produced."

The only goal was a sweet strike from Andy Windross half way through the first half and the victory would have been more emphatic but for the performance of visiting goalkeeper Steve Farrelly.

He produced stunning saves to deny Shields on two occasions and also blocked a David Pounder effort.

Shields was being watched by Sunderland reserves coach Ricky S'Bragia, who said "he's a very promising lad and he can do a lot better, but the move will be good for him."

Considering that Shaun Rennison saw a header hit the post and two more efforts cleared off the line, this was indeed a performance which promised much for the future.

Smith had little to do behind a defence which for once looked sound, but was willing to use his area well to snuff out several threatening moves.

Scarbrough: Smith, Faure, Jones, Rennison; Blunt, Baker, Patterson, Jordan (Sherwood 81); Windross, Pounder, Shields (Jewell 87)

Farnborough: Farrelly, Annon, Harper (Dublin 81), Laker; Warner, L.Piper, C Piper, Green, Gregory (Jones 70); Charles, Baptiste (Taggart HT)

Referee: C Boyeson (Hull)

Attendance: 930

Updated: 11:56 Monday, November 26, 2001