Bishop’s Stortford lose 2-0 at home to Scarborough Athletic in National League North as visitors end nine-game goal drought

Bishop’s Stortford conceded in the first minute against a side that had not scored for nine games as they lost 2-0 at home to Scarborough Athletic on Saturday (March 23).

The relegated Blues’ own goal drought continued as they made it 444 minutes without finding the net in Vanarama National League North.

Finlay Barnes was the man to score inside 60 seconds before Alex Wiles doubled the 13th-placed visitors’ lead in the 32nd minute.

Steve Smith’s men have now lost 16 consecutive league matches and tasted defeat in 13 home league fixtures in a row.

Stortford visit Southport tomorrow night (Tuesday March 26) before travelling to Tamworth on Good Friday and entertaining Banbury United on Easter Monday.

The Blues made the worst possible start at the RDA Stadium as Barnes arrived to finish off a passing move in the first minute.

Stortford goalkeeper and captain Jack Giddens was forced into a few saves, including keeping out Lewis Maloney’s free kick.

And it was from a Blues set piece that the away side doubled their lead, with Wiles claiming the ball, dribbling through midfield and slotting into the bottom corner.

Before the break, Giddens did well to save Wilson’s 18-yard effort at full stretch and Alex Purver headed wide from the resulting corner.

Scarborough went close to adding to their tally when Wilson scooped a shot over the bar from a rapid counter-attack.

Defender Harry Beadle had the Blues’ best chance when he missed the target from four yards out from Aaron Greene’s free kick.

Scarborough’s Maloney was denied a goal by his own team-mate as his shot was blocked on the goal-line by Barnes before Olly Dyson put the rebound wide.

Giddens then kept out efforts from Wilson and Barnes before the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down after substitute Dom Tear went down in the box.

Blues: Giddens, Haines (Harvey 72), Akolbire, Robbins (Alexander 65), Beadle, McGregor, Foxley, Oke (booked 64), Thomas (booked 75, Lusardi 77), Charles, Greene. Not used: Messaoudin.

Scarborough Athletic: Whitley, Weledji (booked 31), Maloney, Thornton, Purver, Mulhern (Tear 67), Colville, Barnes, Wiles, Wilson (Johnson 79), Dyson. Not used: Cracknell, Gooda.

Referee: David Jones.

Attendance: 493.