SCARBOROUGH'S hopes of climbing in to the Nationwide Conference play-off positions were washed away in rain-lashed Devon as they slipped to a 3-1 win at Exeter City.

Boro got off to a dream start when Neil Redfearn cracked in a spectacular 21st-minute free-kick to silence the 4,500-plus crowd swelled by the sale of Manchester United FA Cup tickets.

Redfearn had earlier come to Boro's rescue with a brilliant goal-line clearance to deny Gareth Sheldon the opener for Exeter.

The veteran midfielder, who is having a fine season, then stepped up to blast a great free-kick past Paul Jones.

Boro dominated the first half and should have gone further ahead but Tony Hackworth skewed an effort over the bar when it was easier to score.

That was the let off the Grecians needed and triggered their comeback when Dean Moxey glanced a near-post header from Alex Jeannin's corner past Leigh Walker.

That was the signal for the tide to turn and just after the hour Steve Flack outpaced Mark Hotte and fired in the bottom corner.

Exeter then ensured that they will head to Old Trafford for their third round FA Cup clash in good heart when Sean Devine smacked home a last-minute penalty.

Although Scarborough will start favourites when they entertain York City on Boxing Day, coach Nicky Henry will be alarmed at his side's second-half capitulation.

"I was really disappointed because we were the better side in the first half but once they got their equaliser we seemed to collapse and in the end did not deserve anything."

Boro slipped to ninth in the table as a result of the Exeter defeat but are nine points clear of the Minstermen.

Updated: 10:35 Monday, December 20, 2004