BUXTON 0, SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC 1
The clash of the two promoted teams saw Scarborough Athletic overcome adversity to win at Buxton in National League North.
A horrendous four-hour journey and late arrival at Tarmac Silverlands failed to knock the Seadogs out of their stride.
Kick off was delayed by 15 minutes, but Athletic were unfazed as they claimed maximum points through a first-half goal from Luca Colville.
It was a win which lifted Athletic, managed by former Manchester United player Jonathan Greening, into third place as the have acquitted themselves well at a higher level.
Buxton have found it tougher as they are 18th and five points above the relegation places.
They had appeared to be finding their feet with only one loss in 11 league and cup games before back-to-back home defeats by Banbury and Scarborough three days apart have been a setback for the Bucks.
However, with an FA Cup second-round tie at League One high-flyers Ipswich Town on the horizon, they will be looking for a quick return to action.
The match, played on often monsoonal conditions, was a slow burner and took almost half an hour to provide a flicker of entertainment for the 621 hardy souls.
Then Athletic’s Dom Tear saw a drive from 30 yards flash narrowly wide.
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute with a great solo effort from Colville who surged forward unchecked before firing how past goalkeeper Theo Richardson.
The second half saw the Seadogs coming close to extending their lead as Brad Plant, Lewis Mahoney and Bailey Gooda had great chances, Gooda’s effort forcing an amazing save from Richardson, a head in the hands moment as he looked certain to score.
Buxton, who failed to score for a second successive game, almost snatched an equaliser in the dying minutes with their only meaningful goal attempt of the game.
Striker Jason Gilchrist burst clean through on goal only for visiting goalkeeper Joe Cracknell to make a brilliant save to deflect the effort wide for a corner.