These are just a few 'Footballing Facts of Life' which have formed object lessons at Moss Lane over the last two Saturdays.

At the time of writing, the opening string of disappointments has left Robins with two points from a possible nine, and only five clubs are worse off in the league.

However, the time to start worrying about things like this is if the team are in the same league position when Santa comes down the chimney.

Having said that, a win would would be nice, if only for psychological reasons.

A win looked on the cards last Saturday as Robins led Whitby 1-0 for fully 70 minutes of this match, through an early strike by Leroy Chambers.

But the heartbreaking equaliser came from Graham Robinson on 80 minutes to signal a heated final ten minutes and ultimately the second share of points in two matches at Moss Lane.

Bernard Taylor resorted to a 4-4-2 formation and paired Chambers and Power up front, giving Russell space to exploit up the left wing. Backed up by Danny Adams, this was undoubtedly Robins most potent weapon, and they set about their task with great gusto.

Before the visitors grew wise to this, Robins were 1-0 nil up, and thus had the opportunity to dictate the play.

Adams, Power and Russell strung passes together on the left and Russell's cross, helped on with a glancing header from Ellender, landed to Chambers and he netted the opener.

Chambers later headed onto the post, and good link-up play between he and Power deserved a goal on 34 minutes.

Russell and Power had chances to double the lead in the second half, with Ellender, France and Carmody providing the ammunition.

A tired Whitby Town brought on all three subs in the space of 10 minutes and this seemed to do the trick, when Graham Robinson netted with a low drive on 80 minutes.

In conclusion, it was a better performance than the one against Frickley the week before, but then again, eleven Morris Dancers would have put in a better performance. Looking at it cynically, this is the kind of game Robins would have lost 1-0 last season, dominating without scoring.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.