Matthew Russell, brought into the side just 10 minutes before kick off, was Scarborough's hero, scoring the only goal of the game at Rochdale.

French defender Alex Marinkov aggravated a foot injury in the warm up and manager Mick Wadsworth had to make late changes, moving Jamie Hoyland to sweeper and bringing Russell into midfield.

Hoyland never put a foot wrong as he marshalled his defence which was under considerable pressure in the first half.

Goalkeeper Tony Elliott denied both Mark Stuart and Miguel De Souza and John Kay and Russell cleared efforts off the line.

Scarborough played very much on the break, but made their tactics pay when Paddy Atkinson timed an overlapping run to perfection and whipped in a devastating cross. Russell showed great tenacity to hold off two defenders and the goalkeeper to force the ball home from close range.

Rochdale: Edwards, Williams, (Bailey 58), Hill, Monington, Farrell, Sparrow, Bryson (Diaz 78), peake, painter, Sturat, De Souza (Holt 78).

Scarborough: Elliott, Kay, McNaughton, Lydiate, Hoyland, Atkinson, Worrall, Bullimore, Russell, Brodie (Robinson 90), Williams. Subs not used: Jackson, Carr.

Goal: Russell 73 mins

Attendance: 1,536

Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens)

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