Scarborough will have to stem their defensive generosity, declared manager Neil Thompson after their Conference campaign opened with a 1-1 draw at home to Forest Green.

Boro, who even spurned a penalty, only snatched a share of the points at the death through Darryn Stamp, who touched home a cross from fellow debutant Chris Short.

Said Thompson: "Forest Green were gifted all their scoring opportunities by players doing the wrong thing at the wrong time and it would have been a travesty of justice had we not have got that late equaliser."

Short and Stamp were two of four debutants with Stamp impressing throughout with his distribution, though too often players failed to read his subtle touches.

Jamie Burt proved once again that his pace will trouble defenders, but on three occasions that pace had taken him clear of support players and chances were lost.

Boro's defence looked hesitant at times and it was one of those such moments by Romain Faure which gifted the visitors their goal neatly taken by Alex Meechan 12 minutes before half time.

A quick chance to reply was squandered when another debutant, Peter Fitzsimmons, was clattered to the floor 40 seconds later by Forest Green 'keeper Steve Perrin. But Denny Ingram's penalty was saved by the stocky custodian.

Scarborough: Woods, Short (Stoker, 88), Rennison, Fickling, Faure, Fitzsimmons; Blunt, Ingram, Pounder; Burt (Brodie, 55), Stamp.

Forest Green: Perrin, Cousins, Howey, Jenkins, Allen, Cooper; Shaw (Lightbody, 85), Foster, Futcher; Heggs, Meechan.

Referee: D Birkett (Gainsborough).

Updated: 11:51 Monday, August 20, 2001