Match Report -
Out-classed
By Six Yard Sam

Celtic crashed out of the FA Trophy with an uninspiring display against full-time Conference outfit Scarborough. Despite both teams being without a number of key players, Scarborough were afforded too much respect.

Even so, it took an own goal from Darren Bowman: heading Paul Shepherd's fast cross past Craig Dootson into his own net to open the scoring with Scarborough being deft on the ball, but not creating in front of the goal.

But Celtic scorned several chances during the match, including Phil Eastwood blazing just over the bar in the opening few minutes.

The threatening Bimbo Fatokun was replaced just before half time by Tommy Raw, and it was Raw who finally manage to break through the Celtic defence converting Anthony Ormerod's ball along the line from just inside the penalty box.

Ex-Celtic keeper Leigh Walker was given a run-out in the Scarborough goal, and he repeatedly denied Celtic a way back into the game, denying Darren Bowman, Phil Eastwood and Danny Hooper.

Despite looking a more comfortable side in the closing stages, with impressive performances from Danny Caldicott, Celtic could not get onto the score sheet. When Colin Potts limped off, Chris Denham was brought on to try and expose the back line, but failed as Potts had done before him.

As a last throw of the dice, Dave Miller brought Steven Clegg on for Terry Bowker, giving him free reign up the right hand side, and converting to a three four three formation, but Scarborough clinically exposed the light back- line in the dying moments, when Mohammed Sillah stabbed home a ricocheting ball that Celtic failed to clear.

All in all, the better team won on the day, and Celtic must now bounce back and close the gap on league leaders Accrington Stanley with a victory over Ashton United on Saturday. There was much to learn in the finishing of the Conference title contenders, and Celtic should take the lesson to heart.