After replacing Coils / Plugs / ECU to fix misfiring (ecu was indeed faulty) a week later it started running poor + white smoke

Did a compression test using one of the testers on eBay and found number 3 and 4 (two closest to battery) have no / hardly any compression!

It is a Mk2 1.2 8V with 68k

What are my options?
I only paid £580 for the car as it had a few dents etc, so is scrapping it going to be the only viable solution? - I assume a head gasket replace/repair will cost 100's

whats a wet compression say
unusual for 3 and 4 to go but is indicative of a blown gasket
i assume 8 valve ?
whip off head
check bores
procure good second hand head
fit
should be easily done even by a novice with basic tools and a haynes over a weekend,keep engine at tdc and leave belt on bottom pulley for an easier life,you can always treat it to a new belt once you confirm engine runs fine again

Dry and wet compression test (you want to try and get some idea of the state of the rest of the engine).

But they are absurdly cheap and easy engines to work on. You do need, however, to work out why the HG went in the first place (they're usually the symptom, not the cause, of overheating/misfire).

DIY (including skim) way under £100. Only special tool required is a torque wrench (can be hired).

If 2 cylinders have no compression against each other - its a strong sign of a blown HG

but a compression test should be done in 2 stages

Dry then wet

White smoke = Water been burnt
which kinda fixes the idea of HG

Ziggy