IF last night's Conference contest at the McCain Stadium was to be Scarborough's last-ever match, it was just a shame Morecambe had to spoil a farewell bash.

A late goal denied the hosts a hard-earned victory, and although the 2-2 result will pale into insignificance should Boro lose the biggest match of the club's history on Friday, it was still a cruel blow in the context of the game.

Granted, the Lancashire lads deserved a point for their second-half display, but the battling qualities of Neil Thompson's men shone throughout, especially given the situation they find themselves in.

The players, who reportedly haven't been paid this month, could all be out of a job should Friday's creditors meeting see the club shut down.

And Thompson, whose future also hangs in the balance, was wary of the effect the turmoil could have had.

"We looked a bit mentally tired at times, which maybe was to be expected. The lads never stopped trying, we just switched off mentally and got punished," he said.

The Seadogs twice went in front, to be pegged back at the end of either half.

Defender Paul Ellender gave Boro a deserved first-half lead when bundling home his first goal for the club on 27 minutes from a Simon Betts free-kick.

Morecambe had scarcely threatened throughout a half in which the impressive David Pounder saw an effort cleared off the line, but that changed two minutes from the interval.

Boro sweeper Marcus Jones thumped a diving header onto his own bar, while Phil Eastwood's looping rebound was kept out by 'keeper Andy Woods and the woodwork.

Boro then survived a spot of pin-ball, but their luck lasted less than 30 seconds as Andy Fensome's speculative drive was spilled by Woods and Eastwood slotted this rebound home.

Although the hosts were more disjointed after the break, they regained the lead on 75 minutes after substitute Paul McGuire upended Gareth Williams in the Morecambe box and Betts netted from the spot.

They had earlier gone close when Steve Brodie's curling effort skimmed the post, but in truth it was Morecambe's half, and their late pressure was rewarded when John Norman bundled the ball home.

"I don't think we'll come up against anything better this season; you can see why they finished in the top three last time," said Thompson. "But we're still unbeaten, and we can move on."

Scarborough: Woods; Russell, Rennison, Jones, Ellender, Betts; Stoker, Ingram; Pounder (Morris, 83), Brodie; Williams.

Morecambe: Smith; Fensome, McKearney, Hardiker, Wright (Murphy, 59); Rigolioso (McGuire, 65), Drummond, Walters, Takano (Heald, 76); Eastwood, Norman.

Referee: Clive Oliver (Ashington); Att: 1,536.

Harrogate Town's bad start to their Unibond League division one campaign continued last night as they lost 2-1 at home to Bradford Park Avenue.

Dean Calcutt gave the visitors an eight-minute lead with a diving header, and Mick Thompson added a second on 64 minutes. Hudson halved the deficit ten minutes later, but it wasn't enough for Dave Fell's men.

Selby Town's last summer friendly prior to Saturday's Northern Counties East League kick-off ended in victory at Hatfield Main. Pete Collier's deflected shot late on gave them a 2-1 win after Nigel Croad had equalised a Jason Miller opener for Hatfield.

York RI visit Bardsey tonight (kick off 6.15pm) hoping to have their shooting boots on for the West Yorkshire League clash, following their goalless stalemate with Rothwell on Saturday.

York RI: from Hammond, Keenleyside, Knaggs, Wilkinson, Cocker, McKie, Lee, Raynor, Newton, Bond, Bartlett, Bonarius, Rowan.