Scarborough 3, Carlisle United 0

Houdini-Like Scarborough completed a happy Easter and strengthened their escape from the relegation zone with a 3-0 win over Carlisle United at the McCain Stadium.

And it was former York City trainee Chris Tate who fired the Seasiders ever closer to safety with his first hat-trick in League football.

A transformed Tate has now bagged eight goals in his last ten games, his hot-shot form coinciding with Boro's great escape from the Division Three drop-zone having now won five and lost just once in their last eight games.

"We were six or seven points behind everyone not so long ago," said a delighted Tate, who has still to sign a new contract with the club.

"Everyone thought we were dead and buried but now we are clear of the bottom and it is everyone else's turn to be worried.

"I didn't play my best game ever but everything just went right for me today and all the lads worked hard."

After moving off the bottom with a fighting 1-1 draw at Hull, Boro are now four points clear of Hartlepool who play Shrewsbury today.

They are also just one point behind the Cumbrians with two games in hand.

But it was United who started the better with Boro's back line too easily breached too often by the simple ball over the top.

Boro were lethargic and it took a somewhat bizarre incident to shake them into life.

Carlisle midfielder David Bass seemed content to let the ball run out of play for a goalkick until former Minsterman Paddy Atkinson bundled him into the hoardings.

But it was Bass who was lucky to escape with just a booking when he raised his hands and pushed Atkinson to the floor.

It was all handbags stuff, but succeeded in awakening both Boro and their largest home crowd of the season from their slumber.

Ten minutes later and Scarborough took the lead thanks to some delightful play by Nathan Jones, making his home debut after signing on loan from Southend United.

There seemed little danger when he collected the ball on the edge of the United area, but a quick step over followed by some more nifty footwork seemed to temporarily hypnotise the Carlisle defence.

The Welshman then flicked a delicious ball with the outside of his foot through to the advancing Tate who slipped the ball past Carlisle 'keeper Richard Knight.

Minutes after the restart and Boro nearly extended their lead when Tate and his strike partner Darren Roberts emphasised their growing understanding with a neat one two.

Roberts' fierce shot from the edge of the area was well blocked by Knight, who then brought off a better save to deny Roberts from point blank range after a neat flick from Graham Carr gave him an open sight of goal.

When the inevitable second goal did come on 60 minutes it was from a move of simplicity.

Graeme Atkinson took the throw, the ball was laid back by Roberts and the defender whipped in a cross for the unmarked Tate to knock home from six yards.

Three minutes later and Tate completed his hat-trick when more good link up play with the ever-willing Roberts sent the goal hungry striker clear again.

His low angled drive from 18 yards gave Knight no chance.

It was game, set and match to Boro.

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