Inconsistency in football is often a source of complaint, and at Scarborough it's no different.

The fans expressed dismay last weekend following the FA Umbro Trophy defeat at Bishop Auckland, and after Saturday's home reverse by Dover, boss Colin Addison had to face more flak.

He showed considerable character to personally meet some of the unhappy fans, but it wouldn't have tempered the disillusioned supporters too much following a poor display.

A confidence-boosting midweek victory over Southport notwithstanding, Scarborough were outplayed by their southern seaside conterparts.

And the 2-1 reverse - after David McNiven had given Boro the lead - sees the hosts slip back to sixth in the table, being leapfrogged by their guests and Hereford.

They are now 13 points behind leaders Kidderminster and it appears a return to the Football League will have to wait a little while.

Dover had dominated the first half, despite missing a few first team regulars, and were mighty unlucky to go a goal down on the stroke of half time.

Chris Tate glided a free-kick into McNiven's path, and the on loan Oldham striker turned well and fired a fine shot home. It was Scarborough's first shot on goal.

Dover had otherwise pegged the hosts back, seeing home 'keeper Andy Woods deny Andy Morrison, Steve Brown and Matt Carruthers. The inside post had also denied Morrison.

The visitors ran things in midfield, where Dave Clarke given enough acres to open a farm, as well as set up a series of pentrating attacks.

It finally bore fruit for the visitors when Boro full-back Matty Russell gave the ball away to Morrison, who cracked home a fine equaliser.

It was the first league goal the Seasiders had conceded at the McCain Stadium since, believe it or not, October 23 - but it was very much deserved.

Boro still looked like they might take a point, but were denied even that seven minutes from time when Brown swept home Steve Norman's corner to take the points back to the famous white cliffs.

Scarborough: Woods, Russell, Rennison, Jones (McNaughton 76), Ellender, Williams, Stoker, Morris, Betts, Tate, McNiven (Milbourne 68).

Dover: Hyde, Browne, Strouts, Beard, Norman, Lebert, Clarke, Morrison, Vansittart, Carruthers, Brown.

Referee: A Smith (Castleford).

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