A HAT-TRICK of successive wins for York City in the North Riding FA Senior Cup but hardly a performance worthy of silverware.

It took a goalkeeping error to win the match as a determined Scarborough made a mockery of the oft-heard footballers' complaint that they play too many games.

This was the Seasiders seventh match in ten days of a hectic pre-season programme. Ten of last night's 11 had played just 24 hours earlier against Sunderland yet it was the Minstermen's second string who looked the more jaded.

Boro were bright and industrious and were unlucky to go behind to City's first attempt on goal after just seven minutes.

Skipper for the night Wayne Hall chipped the ball forward to Marc Williams on the edge of the Boro area. The Welshman laid the ball off to his namesake John, who fired in a firm half volley that Andy Woods seemed to have covered but could only watch in horror as the ball squirmed under his body to creep inside the post.

Boro's match weary troops seemed undeterred by the blow and set about a young City three-man rearguard of John Keegan, Peter Vasey and Matt Hocking with gusto.

Russ Howarth was forced to paw around the post a Paul Ellender glancing header while both Hocking and Hall made important interceptions.

Up front, despite the lack of stickability, City's three pronged attack of John Williams, Marc Williams and Colin Alcide looked sharp - Alcide denied by the outstretched foot of Denny Ingram from latching onto Marc Williams' near post.

But it was Scarborough who continued to pose the greater threat.

Former Hull City man Gareth Williams headed Matty Russell's delicate cross straight into the arms of Howarth from ten yards before unleashing a stiff drive straight at the City 'keeper.

The impish Steve Brodie, at the centre of most of Boro's brightest moves, flicked on a cute pass from Russell but was leaning back as his tame hot looped into the arms of Howarth.

City continued to have their moments - Hall skipping past a challenge to unleash a rising drive that forced Woods to make amends for his earlier glitch by tipping the ball over the bar.

Boro had the final word as the half-closed; Simon Betts scuffed a gilt edged chance from just eight yards while young David Pounder went closer with a drive that flashed past the post.

Chances continued to be carved after the break and City threatened to draw blood when Marc Williams hit a crisp shot across the face of the goal although Howarth was soon in action saving another Ellender header and then watched, minutes later, as the central defender directed a third effort over the bar.

Russell scissor-kicked a volley just inches wide before Howarth saved at the feet of Brodie after Gareth Williams' fluffed shot threatened to roll into the path of the former Sunderland frontman.

City's defending became even more desperate as Williams let fly an arrowed drive that stung the arms of Howarth.

But for all Boro's fleeted-feet they could not force an equaliser and credit to City's defence for refusing to buckle in the face of such concerted pressure.