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Win or bust for Scarborough Athletic
SCARBOROUGH Athletic boss Brian France has admitted his side's NCEL Premier promotion hunt will be killed off unless they grab victory against landlords Bridlington Town at Queensgate tonight, 7.45pm ko.
The dismal defeat at Hallam on Saturday has left Boro 17 points behind leaders Rainworth and 16 adrift of second-placed Brid - with former Boro striker Craig Hogg looking to hammer the final nail into the coffin tonightfollowing his move to Brid from Athletic last week.
However, boss France is in bullish mood ahead of the big clash despite being without the unavailable Joel Hartley and with doubts over another winger in Paddy Miller, who picked up a strain at the weekend.
The manager said: "If we lose tonight then I have to admit that is that really as regards promotion. We have to win and I'm confident that we will.
"This league is all about battling. It took North Ferriby years to get out of it, but when I took over there we did it in two seaons.
"My aim is to do the same here, although I don't want to wait until next year.
"In my opinion we have one of the best squads and we play some of the best football, but if you are not up for the fight then you won't get any success.
"Often sides try to stop you playing football and you get drawn into a battle, which happened on Saturday, but we threw in the towel and that was very disappointing.
"We also did that in the FA Vase against Brid when we lost 5-2 - that is something I will not put up with again.
"I want my players to fight to the end and I want it to start in this game against Brid. Any players who don't give their all will soon be on their way out."
Despite being boosted by the signing of striker Hogg, Brid are struggling for numbers ahead of the match-up, with attackers Alex Rhodes and Danny Buttle definitely missing out.
Striker Wayne Wallace and skipper Tom Fleming limped out of Saturday's draw with Liversedge, while winger Craig Burdick is also suffering from a neck injury.
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Weather for Scarborough
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
