SINCE dropping out of the League, the FA Cup has been a cup of woe for Scarborough but they have now reached the first round proper for the first time in four attempts.

On a bumpy Arnold Town pitch with a strong wind blowing, a shock was certainly one of the options available, but Russ Slade's side held firm in defence and when on the few occasions that quality football was played, the home defence was unpicked.

Keith Scott scored both goals in Boro's 2-0 victory in carbon-copy fashion.

Anthony Ormerod and Jason Blunt provided the big striker with perfect crosses from the right flank- one in each half - with powerful headers beating goalkeeper Lee Broster with ease.

Arnold threatened briefly in the first half, but Chris Hudson and Darren Bogan were wasteful with chances.

Slade had surprised many with his choice of striking partner for Scott in Tom Raw, a 17-year-old from Whitby.

He had made a cameo appearance in midweek against Doncaster, but in this game he showed a maturity and awareness, which promises much for the future - and even at this early stage in his career his qualities do not match his name.

"To be honest I thought he was our best player," said Slade, who went on to add, "This is the sort of game which you want to get out of the way and move on. We didn't play well, but we did enough to win and that was the important thing for the football club."

Scarborough pocket £20,000 for their efforts and entertain Cambridge United in the first round.

ARNOLD TOWN: Broster, Davey, Hudson, Williams, Belcher, Boulter; Bogan, Back, Wilkins (Simpson 68), Shepherd, Brown

SCARBOROUGH: Walker, Dryden, Shepherd, Hotte, Ormerod (Blunt 52), Stoker, Henry, Pounder; Scott (Rose 67), Campbell, Raw (Fatokun 89)

Referee: P Canadine (Rotherham)

Attendance: 910

Updated: 12:10 Monday, October 28, 2002