Scarborough's nearest rivals for the drop, Carlisle United, have been given help by the Football League to overcome a goalkeeping crisis.

The Cumbrians have been given special dispensation to be allowed to bring in a loan 'keeper before Saturday's home match with Darlington.

Currently three points ahead of the Seasiders but having played two games more, United have been hit hard by the loss of loan shot stopper Richard Knight.

Knight has been recalled to Derby County by Rams manager Jim Smith to help ease a goalkeeping problem at Pride Park.

Knight has played the last five games for the Blues following the sale of Tony Caig to Blackpool on transfer deadline day.

With reserve 'keeper Paul Heritage out with a stress fracture of the back, United have just two youth team 'keepers on whom to call.

Carlisle boss Nigel Pearson is believed to be setting his sights on Adam Rachael at Aston Villa.

Boro boss Colin Addison said he would have done the same thing had he been in Nigel Pearson's position and had no arguments with the League's decision.

Meanwhile Boro, who themselves have been forced to use five different net-minders this season, can ease their relegation fears with the visit of Leyton Orient to the McCain Stadium tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).

Victory over the Os can lift Boro off the bottom courtesy of more goals scored.

Despite the disappointing 3-0 defeat at relegation rivals Hartlepool on Saturday - Boro's third reverse on the bounce and their third game without scoring - Addison is remaining upbeat.

"Apart from the spell over Easter, we have been bottom of the league since early January but we still have it in our own hands to save ourselves," said the one-time York City striker.

"If we can recapture our form, a win will take us off the bottom again. But make no mistake, we are making hard work of it."

The Seasiders will be boosted by the return of midfielders Nathan Jones and Gary Porter who both missed the Hartlepool match, although young centre back Shaun Rennison is remains a doubt with an ankle injury after missing the last three games.

Meanwhile, Boro skipper Jamie Hoyland has been fined £100 by the FA but escaped a suspension after picking up his 11th booking of the season at Hartlepool.

Scarborough: from Parks, Russell, G Atkinson, Jones, McAuley, McNaughton, Hoyland, Porter, Tate, Brodie, Roberts, Robinson, Saville, Carr, Worrall.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.