Cherif Diallo headed his ninth goal of the season 12 minutes from time to give Scarborough all three points yesterday in a game in which they were made to work hard by relegation-threatened Forest Green.

Jamie Burt impressed with his pace all afternoon and his run and cross enabled Diallo to head the goal despite the desperate efforts of Rob Cousins to clear the ball.

It was a scrappy game with Boro missing several chances, although the visitors had threatened in the first half when Jason Eaton headed against the post and Alex Meechan and Martin Foster were both denied by smart saves from Andy Woods.

In contrast, visiting 'keeper Steve Perrin had little to do in the first half, apart from to block a close-range effort from Burt, but in the second half was often stretched and twice denied Burt again.

But the story of the second half was the catalogue of missed chances by Neil Thompson's side, with Burt shooting wide when his pace sent him clear again and Diallo incredibly missing the target from ten yards with Perrin floundering.

Jason Blunt performed well in midfield to celebrate signing for Boro until the end of the season and the appearance of former York City midfielder Scott Jordan for his debut just after an hour brought more solidity to the side.

French teenager Romain Faure had a mixed game at sweeper, but still showed that, with honing, his skills will flourish.

Missing from the line-up was fellow teenager Ashley Lyth, further fuelling the rumours that a move is imminent.

Scarborough: Woods; Atkinson, Rennison, Faure, Ellender, Brunton; Stoker (Jordan, 67), Blunt; Pounder, Diallo, Burt (Morris, 90).

Forest Green: Perrin; Cousins, Clarke, Lockwood, Prince; Slater (Daley, 49), M Foster, Cooper; A Foster, Eaton, Meechan.

Referee: B Sygmuta (Northallerton).

Attendance: 838.

Updated: 12:52 Monday, March 26, 2001