FORMER York City striker Marco Gabbiadini tormented struggling Scarborough, who crashed to a 3-0 Division Three defeat at Feethams.

He proved too hot to handle for a Boro side who never really came to terms with the heavy pitch.

In contrast Darlington skimmed across the tacky surface and unveiled a new hero - 17-year-old Michael Carter.

He scored on his League debut to set up Darlington's first win in six league matches.

His goal was engineered by Adam Reed after 32 minutes when he cracked in a 10-yard shot.

He almost had a second after half-time but was denied by a brave block by Scarborough goalkeeper Tony Elliott.

But within a minute of that let-off, Boro found themselves 2-0 down when Gabbiadini cut in from the left, rounded Elliott and slotted in his seventh goal of the season, although Boro claimed it was offside.

Elliott's goal was under constant pressure as Mick Wadsworth's team failed to make any headway.

Just after an hour a Gary Bennett header was knocked off the Boro line by John Kay and Reed's follow-up was cleared by Jason Lydiate.

A third goal had to come and it did after 66 minutes when Brian Atkinson picked out Mark Barnard on the edge of the area and the full back's low drive gave Elliott no chance.

Scarborough's best effort came when substitute Neil Campbell had a header from a cross by Danish debut man Thomas Dabelsteem well saved by David Preece.

But by then the match was over as a contest and Wadsworth has much to do to lift Boro out of their current malaise.

He pinpointed Gabbiadini's goal as the key factor.

"That goal killed us off. Up until then we had not done badly.

"I felt the pitch was dangerous and not up to Football League standard. But it's not sour grapes, I made my views known to the ref well before kick-off."

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