Buxton see off Scarborough in key battle for play-off spots

The visitors arrived unbeaten in eight and without a defeat since late February, whereas all the best Buxton results recently had been on the road while at home there had been just one win in eight fixtures in 2026.

Yet the unchanged hosts dominated proceedings from the outset with a strong corner-to-corner wind at their backs as they attacked the Ashwood End.

In only the fourth minute, set up by Max Bardell, Cian Coleman drove wide from 19 yards and four minutes later the attacking midfielder, fed in space by Luke Brennan, forced a diving save from 'keeper Whitley, who, in the same attack, prevented a certain goal by instinctively raising an arm while grounded to divert Brennan's shot.

Boro' managed only rare thrusts but Joe Young, at full stretch, made a 19th-minute diving save with Weledji heading the resultant flag-kick over the bar.

Buxton immediately returned to the attack with Brennan and Coleman again prominent and from the former's lofted cross a Connor Douglas header landed on top of the bar, but the visitors' escape was purely temporary.

At the half-hour point, Kieran Burton showed attacking initiative to forge into the penalty area where he was fouled from behind. From the inevitable 'spot-kick, Brennan netted impeccably as his approach deceived the 'keeper.

Buxton continued to press forward, and the in-form Johnny Johnston curled a low, 19-yard shot narrowly wide and just a minute later he featured in the afternoon's only controversial event.

Though referee Joe Moss, son of well-known former referee, Jon, took no action, film evidence clearly showed that the pacy striker had been fouled at the edge of the penalty area but the award of a free-kick must surely have been followed by the mandatory sanction of a red card for the offender for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

Unsurprisingly there were those among the home 'faithful' who viewed the incident as a possible turning-point as the visitors were soon to have the benefit of the still very strong wind. Yet such anxiety proved groundless as the hosts produced a superb defensive display when 'Boro attacked in numbers.

The Bucks also created attacks that troubled the visitors' defence which included ex-Silverlanders, Jake Hull and Alex Brown, who conceded the penalty. A 54th-minute thrust up the right was only half-cleared, but Connor Kirby's follow-up drive found Whitley's midriff, while at the other end Colville fired over the angle of post and bar.

However, at 3/4 time, the Bucks decisively doubled their advantage as Johnston cut in and stroked a right-footed effort into the far top corner.

The match remained open and entertaining with Buxton creating the majority of openings. A Brennan cross forced a corner-kick, as did Kirby's dipping, swerving drive that Whitley saved with difficulty, then the home captain had a shot blocked to end a Buxton counter. Meanwhile, the persevering 'Seadogs' forced a punched clearance by Young as the 'keeper secured a fifth clean-sheet in his last eight outings.