Here's the second part of the series.

I is for injury time heartache. In the penultimate away game at Lancaster City on April 18 Darlington were denied a dramatic winner deep into injury time. Adam Mitchell’s 97th minute corner was not dealt with by Lancaster, leading to Leon Scott playing the ball back in for Terry Galbraith to sweep home, but the celebrations were cut short by an errant linesman’s flag. Although considered a borderline decision at the time, a freeze-frame later proved that Galbraith was onside, so Quakers should have headed to Warrington three days later only three points adrift of leaders Salford City with a superior goal difference.

J is for Jordan Connerton. The Kendal Town striker’s quickfire hat-trick inside the 15 minutes caused serious damage to a shellshocked Darlington side, who were unable to fully recover. Quakers went on to lose 4-2 and it signalled the beginning of a spell of four defeats in six matches - including three in a row away from home – which had a major impact on the team’s championship challenge.

K is for Kendal Town. Darlington first headed to Kendal on January 1, but the match was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. Despite there being standing water on the pitch before kick-off, referee Paul Kettlewell decided to start the game, yet it was clear to all concerned that the match would not be completed, so it was nobody’s surprise when he called a halt after 15 minutes. Supporters were left frustrated as they were not entitled to a refund.

L is for landmark. Not long after Amar Purewal netted his landmark 50th goal, so too did Stephen Thompson. Having scored goals with regularity in his first two seasons with the club, Thompson’s half century was reached with a wonderful lob in a 3-0 win away to Mossley in November.

M is for Mota, Nelson. A French winger who joined mid-season from Ramsbottom United, Nelson Mota was used sparingly but showed some flashes of skill and nice touches on occasion. His greatest impact came in the midweek win at Padiham when his goal levelled the scores in a match Darlington went on to win 3-1.

N is for Nathan Cartman. Darlington completed a transfer coup when they managed to prise striker Nathan Cartman from Harrogate RA in January. He’d netted 36 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions at the time. In Quakers colours he’s added another six to his tally while he was also named Evo-Stik First Division North player of the year and the league’s Golden Boot winner.

O is for own goals. Darlington benefitted from two own goals this season, the first being scored by West Auckland’s Darryl Hall. He inadvertently headed into his own net during the FA Cup replay at Heritage Park, helping Quakers to a 3-1 win. The other OG was by centre-back Tom Dean during Darlington’s 3-0 win at Mossley.

P is for play-offs. For the first time at the fifth attempt Darlington won promotion via the play-offs, successfully overcoming Spennymoor Town in the one-legged semi and then Bamber Bridge in the final, both played at Heritage Park. Darlington had previously lost in the play-offs in 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2014.