Scarborough slump Scarborough 1, Torquay United 3

Hopes of a first-ever North Yorkshire derby in Division Two next season look virtually dead.

York City won't be playing Scarborough in the Nationwide League next season unless Boro stage a fairytale comeback after a first leg play-off disaster against Torquay United.

Boro manager Mick Wadsworth labelled his side's play-off performance "rubbish" as Torquay United surged into a 3-1 first leg lead.

The Seasiders hopes of reaching Wembley's Twin Towers lie in tatters after a feeble semi-final display at the McCain Stadium.

Torquay's strike force of Rodney Jack and Andy McFarlane cruelly exposed the Boro defence and they will need to be shackled if the North Yorkshire side are to prosper in Wednesday's second leg.

The home side were handed the chance to grab a head start when ex-York City striker Neil Campbell was pulled down by 'keeper Ken Veysey.

There were confrontations and scuffles after referee Mick Pierce pointed to the spot and it was a full two minutes before leading scorer Gareth Williams was able to take the penalty.

His approach betrayed a lack of confidence and he weakly side-footed the ball into Veysey's arms.

Quicksilver striker Jack took his chance, however, as sheer pace saw him break clear and a touch of finesse enabled him to find the corner of Tony Elliott's net.

Torquay's goal sparked a furious Boro onslaught, bringing unsuccessful appeals for further penalties, as John Gittens appeared to handle and Campbell was bundled over.

With the Scarborough strikers still stuck in the rut of their barren run, it was left to Jason Rockett to give his side hope when he beat Veysey to a Williams cross five minutes from the break.

Experienced pair Ian Snodin and Gary Bennett were prominent for the hosts and it was a desperate blow to the side when the latter failed to reappear after the interval, giving in to a calf strain.

Michael McElhatton was detailed to track the dangerous Jack and was largely successful, but the threat merely came from elsewhere.

The Seasiders were undone five minutes after half-time when Alex Watson won a far post header and the unmarked Gittens chested the ball in from a yard.

Snodin then limped off with a hamstring injury and thereafter the side lacked direction, the only threat to Veysey's goal coming from two Rockett headers.

McFarlane rounded off the scoring when Colin Sutherland played him on-side and he strode on to thump the ball past Elliott with tremendous power.

Wadsworth was scathing of his side's performance.

"We were rubbish. This was probably our worst home display of the season and we lost our way, knocking too many long hopeful balls instead of passing it," he said.

"We've got to go there and score three goals. It's not going to be easy but we've got to give it a right good go. There's one thing for certain, our lack of goals is something which has got to be put right in the close season."

l Greg Heald was Barnet's hero as the Bees beat Colchester 1-0 in their Third Division semi-final first leg at Underhill.

The opening period had been goalless but defender Heald beat United keeper Carl Emberson three minutes after the break to give the Londoners the lead.

But Barnet's Sean Devine and Guy Branston, of Colchester, both saw red for violent conduct eight minutes from time.

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