FOOTBALL

Billy Ayre yesterday resigned as manager of the Endsleigh League's bottom club, Scarborough. Ayre said he had been invited to resign by the chairman, John Russell, because of poor results and the club's position. Formerly at Blackpool and Halifax, Ayre only took over from Steve Wicks in August. Scarborough have put their assistant manager, Phil Chambers, in temporary charge.

Germany beat Moldova 3-0 in Kishinev yesterday, their second consecutive away win in the European Championship qualifying Group Seven. Ulf Kirsten put Germany ahead in the seventh minute, Jurgen Klinsmann added another goal in the 38th minute and their captain, Lothar Matthaus, scored the third 18 minutes from time. In another Group Seven game, Georgia won 1-0 in Albania.

Diego Maradona, who resigned as coach to the Argentinian club Mandiyu last week, said yesterday he had agreed to take over as coach at Racing Club of Buenos Aires. Racing Club are by tradition one of the top Argentinian clubs but they have failed to win a championship for 28 years.