Almost twelve years to the day and on the very spot Neil Warnock and his troops held the Conference championship trophy aloft to mark Scarborough's entry into the Football League, an emotional chairman John Russell pledged "We'll be back."

The battling Seasiders returned to the Conference after a tortuous afternoon of the highest drama - sunk by the last kick of the season and then from the boot of a goalkeeper three minutes into injury time.

To make matters worse for the Seadogs, goalscoring Carlisle 'keeper Jimmy Glass had only signed on loan for the Cumbrians after transfer deadline day. It was a cruel, cruel blow for Boro and their supporters who minutes earlier had been dancing on the pitch after the 1-1 draw with Peterborough seemed to have safeguarded their Division Three status.

But the delighted scenes in the sunshine at the McCain Stadium soon turned to sorrow as news filtered through of Carlisle's last-gasp 2-1 win over Plymouth at Brunton Park.Russell, fighting back tears, spoke to the numbed supporters from the directors box. "We are absolutely devastated. After working so hard to have the 'keeper bob up in the 94th minute to score, you have to think our name has been on the drop. This will go down in football history as one of the greatest unforeseen happenings but make no mistake, we will be back."

Carlisle had been given special dispensation by the league to recruit Glass from Swindon - where in his last two games he had conceded ten goals - because of the loss of loan shot stopper Richard Knight who was recalled to Derby County last month to help ease a goalkeeping crisis at Pride Park.

But Boro boss Colin Addison, who had done so much to give the Seasiders hope of survival since his arrival in February, remained philosophical about his team's plight.

"We are not going to moan about the goalkeeping situation. It is a very cruel game football and nothing surprises me anymore. Credit due to everyone at the club who in the short space of time I have been here have worked very, very hard but just like life you need that bit of luck and we didn't have it."

Distraught Boro striker Darren Roberts, who had scored the Seasiders' equalising goal on 42 minutes and missed a gilt-edged opportunity to score a second-half winner that would have made Scarborough safe, said: "It has broken our hearts, we are absolutely gutted.

"We have just got to get back. I want to do it for the fans, the players and the club. I love it here and I will be here next season."

One player likely to be on his way however is Roberts' striking partner, Chris Tate. The former York City junior, who is now out of contract, was watched by Huddersfield's Peter Jackson on Saturday, with the Terriers thought to be lining up a £250,000 bid.

Things certainly started badly for the Seasiders when disaster struck on seven minutes - Richard Scott firing home a David Farrell corner at the second attempt from 15 yards.

The Seasiders were understandably nervous while Posh, still hopeful of securing a play-off place, had David Farrell and teenage wing wizard Matthew Etherington causing problems down the flanks.

But eventually Boro clawed their way into the game. Nathan Jones almost scored by direct from a corner before defender Michael McNaughton latched onto a Roberts' header but blazed his volley over from ten yards.

Maruading full-back Matthew Russell then went close to equalising when his howitzer of a drive flew just wide of the post before Graeme Atkinson hit the angle of post and bar from an acute angle from a deep Roberts' cross.

But it was a piece of quick thinking by Jones that eventually brought Boro level. The midfielder took a quick free-kick, rolling the ball into the path of Roberts' who then rifled it past the advancing Mark Tyler in the United goal.

After the interval Boro went gunning for the three points that would have made them safe regardless of happenings at Brunton Park.

Tate saw his goal-bound shot blocked by David Rennie before Roberts missed his golden opportunity to grab a winner.

A long clearance by McNaughton split the Posh defence and suddenly the former Peterborough striker was in the clear. But with just the 'keeper to beat he lobbed the ball over the bar.

Despair in the ground soon turned to joy when news filtered through that Plymouth had taken the lead at Carlisle.

But it was Peterborough's turn to apply the pressure with Giuliano Grazioli denied by the legs of Tony Parks.

With just four minutes left, Peterborough sub Francis Green bundled the ball into the net but there was to be another twist. Referee Roy Pearson ruled the goal out for offside.

There couldn't possibly be anymore heart pounding drama to come, could there? But then the final whistle went and moments later so did Boro's Football League status.

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