A LATE Grant Ryan goal earned Scarborough Athletic a point against Leek Town - denting the visitors’ title hopes in the Evo-Stik League division one south.

Ryan struck eight minutes from time to cancel out a 69th-minute Matthew Plummer own goal at the other end.

It was a decent result for the seventh-placed Seadogs, but it does mean they are now mathematically out of the running for a play-off place. They have four games left, starting with an Easter double-header away to Gresley on Saturday (3pm) and at home to Goole on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).

A flurry of red cards marred the Evo-Stik League premier division action as Whitby Town suffered a 2-0 defeat at Matlock Town on Saturday.

The big talking point occurred in the 38th minute when three players were sent off.

Whitby’s Steven Snaith tackled Adam Yates who rolled about in agony. A melee followed, after which Whitby’s David McTiernan and Matlock’s Cecil Nyoni received red cards along with Snaith - leaving the Blues down to nine men and Matlock 10.

The home side had earlier taken the lead after 12 minutes through Nyoni after good work by Shaun Tuton.

They doubled their score in the second half through Massiah McDonald after 65 minutes.

Last Wednesday, Whitby beat Kings Lynn 4-0 at home in front of a crowd of 206. Shane Henry opened the scoring in the first half and second-half goals followed from Snaith, Lee Mason and Zak Boagey.

Whitby, in 12th after the weekend, have two home games this week. Tonight (Wednesday) they entertain Buxton (7.45pm) and on Saturday they host leaders Chorley (3pm). Buxton, in 14th, enjoyed a surprise 2-1 win over title-chasing FC United of Manchester on Saturday.