WHITBY Town’s hopes of breaking into the Evo-Stik League premier division play-off places took a big blow on Saturday as they lost 3-1 at lowly Grantham.

Whitby had enjoyed an 11-match unbeaten run but have now lost two on the bounce and drop to 10th.

The Blues have 12 games left, starting with the visit of 17th-placed Stamford on Saturday (3pm).

Grantham took an early lead through Paul Grimes. Whitby equalised thanks to a Craig Farrell 20- yard shot and, playing much better than in the opening minutes, they were unlucky not to take the lead.

However, Grantham went back in front on 37 minutes as Jack McGovern crossed for Deon Meikle to head home, and Lee Ridley doubled the lead after 51 to seal victory.

Meanwhile, Scarborough Athletic stayed in the promotion mix in Evo- Stik division one south thanks to a 2-1 victory at mid-table Rainworth.

Boro took a 14th-minute lead against the run of play thanks to a Gary Bradshaw penalty. Ryan Blott had seen a shot crash back off the bar, after which winger Ryan Williams intercepted a weak header back to the goalkeeper, James Martin, and was tripped in the box.

Ashley Longstaff missed a great chance to level but Rainworth did equalise after a mistake at the back.

Andy Milne failed to get enough on a header back to goalkeeper Jason White, and Longstaff nipped in.

Boro suffered another blow as striker Bradshaw departed with a hamstring injury, and they were only spared falling behind when the offside flag denied Tristram Whitman.

However, they got on top and were gifted their second goal by another poor back-pass. This one, by Mark Dudley, saw Williams round the ‘keeper and net from an acute angle.

Bizarrely, Williams was booked when he kicked the corner flag in celebration, and saw it rebound into a linesman.

Rainworth right-back Matt Varley was sent off with 10 minutes left after two yellow cards.

Boro hosted fellow play-off hopefuls Mickleover last night, and entertain lowly Bedworth on Saturday (3pm).