SCARBOROUGH Athletic manager Steve Kittrick admits the club needs maximum points in the final three games to keep the promotion dream alive, writes Ian Appleyard.

Athletic, who are moving to a new stadium in Scarborough this summer, have won their last five games in Evo-Stik First Division North without conceding a goal but are still two points adrift of the play-off zone.

They play Bamber Bridge, Tadcaster Albion, and Colwyn Bay in their remaining three games but are also relying on slip-ups from teams higher up the league.

Speaking after Saturday's 5-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Burscough, Kittrick said: "We have got to win three games. If we do that I am sure we will be where we need to be and that's in the play-offs.

"I am quietly confident," he added. "We are playing well as a team and as a unit we are strong."

Athletic maintained their bid to gatecrash the play-offs with a 5-0 weekend win over bottom-of-the-table Burscough.

Jacob Hazel opened the scoring after 17 minutes and the game was wrapped up by the interval thanks to goals from Benny Igiehon (2) and Cameron Murray. Substitute Billy Logan added the fifth.

Kittrick revealed that Igiehon was substituted at the interval to avoid the risk of collecting a two game ban.

"Benny was on nine bookings and, if he had got booked in the second half, he would have been out for two games," said Kittrick. "It was better fetching him off. They are all spent now and he is on a clean sheet again.

"He was a bit concerned because he wanted to score a third or a fourth goal but I would rather him be on the team-sheet Saturday and Monday. He is a massive presence for us and he is playing well."

Athletic, meanwhile, have announced that a new memorial game will be played every summer against Bridlington Town in honour of late club chairman Dave Holland.

The pre-season fixture will be held every pre-season with the venue alternating between the new stadium at Weaponess and Bridlington's ground at Queensgate.

The inaugural 'Dave Holland Trophy' will be held at the Leisure Village site on a date yet to be confirmed. Mr Holland died two months ago after a short illness.

Boro visit Bamber Bridge on Saturday (3pm) and host Tadcaster on Easter Monday (3pm).

In the Evo-Stik Premier Division, Whitby Town extended their unbeaten to nine games last weekend with a 2-0 victory at Corby Town thanks to goals from Dale Hopson and Luke Bythway.

Chris Hardy's men were still two points adrift of the play-off zone going into last night's game at Mickleover Sports.

On Saturday, Whitby are at home to eighth placed Warrington Town (3pm) and on Easter Monday they visit newly crowned champions Blyth Spartans (3pm).