Scarborough's second win of the season and their first clean sheet should have been the cause for celebration.

But with four men being sent off - three from Gravesend - the 2-0 win for the hosts game was clearly a struggle for both players and spectators alike.

The first sending-off was that of the Gravesend goalkeeper Alex O'Reilly for tripping Mark Quayle outside of the penalty area.

This was after a mere 90 seconds and 14 minutes later Steve McKimm was sent off for a lunge at Nicky Henry.

The fans sat back to await the avalanche of goals against the nine men who were forced to play centre-back Lee Shearer in goal, but the visitors hit the woodwork three times through Rob Haworth (twice) and Francis Duku before Scarborough broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

By then a player from each side - Karl Rose and Justin Skinner - had been sent off for scuffling.

The penalty was awarded when former Leeds United junior Alex Nesovic was tripped, with Quayle scoring with ease.

Chris Senior added a deflected second ten minutes from time.

Said Scarborough manager Russ Slade: "It is a case of accepting the three points and forgetting about this game.

"We did not pass well and perhaps we had too much time and space."

His dismay at his side's lack of urgency was demonstrated publicly at half-time when he kept them on the pitch.

His gesture mollified the crowd somewhat - but it did little to improve the team's performance.

While the Seasiders boasted a two-man advantage for 74 minutes, it rarely showed.

Scarborough: Walker, Redmile, Baker, Downey (Senior 46), Raw (Nesovic 46), Kelly, Henry (Sherlock 60), Gill, Quayle, Rose.

Gravesend: O'Reilly, Lee, Duku (Strouts 64), Shearer, Skinner, Gradley, McKimm, Walshe, Owen, Haworth (Perkins 74), Pinnock (McClements 49).

Referee: R Booth (Mansfield).

Attendance: 1,249.

Updated: 09:16 Monday, September 08, 2003