Curzon Ashton 1 Darlington 1

Reilly (47 mins, 1-0), Elliott (70 mins 1-1)

attendance 394

Quakers fully deserved a point courtesy of an excellent volley by Tom Elliott, his second goal of the season.

But just like the away games at Alfreton and Altrincham, Quakers came away regretting some missed chances in the closing stages.

Quakers went close in the second minute. Luke Trotman on the right played the ball inside for Joe Wheatley to pick up in his stride, run into the box and fire into the side netting.

Curzon nearly scored on 11 minutes. Crankshaw kept the ball in on the left hand side and played the ball through for Lewis Reilly, who struck a left foot shot that went just past the right hand post, then Ryan Brooke hit a low 30 yarder that Maddison saved down to his left.

Quakers hit back and had a chance on 18 minutes when Nicholson found Saunders in the area with a good ball, and Saunders’ low shot was parried by Mason.

Quakers thought they should have got a penalty on 19 minutes when Trotman picked the ball up in the box and seemed to be tripped, but the ref waved play on.

And then on 21 minutes, Elliott curled a right foot shot towards the top corner, but Mason pushed the ball over the top.

The dangerous Nicholson had a chance on his left foot on 26 minutes from just outside the box, and Mason held on to the ball at the second attempt.

But Curzon missed a good chance when Brook headed the ball into the box for Reilly, who was unmarked eight yards out, but he missed his kick.

Saunders made a good run up the left that won a corner on 40 minutes, and from the corner, Simon Ainge had a shot charged down.

Quakers had a chance just on half time when Saunders found Trotman on the right and he played the ball back inside for Thompson, who sidefooted straight at Mason.

Half time Curzon Ashton 0 Darlington 0

Quakers went a goal down after 47 minutes. Crankshaw had time to cross low from the right for Lewis Reilly to sidefoot in from a couple of yards.

After Palmer put a left foot shot over the top, it was nearly 2-0 on 58 minutes when Crankshaw broke down the right again and put in a dangerous cross that Smith deflected over his own crossbar.

There was a big scramble in the Curzon box on 62 minutes that saw Quaker have two shots charged down and a penalty appeal dismissed for a foul on Ainge.

Quakers then made two subs, Henshall and Kokolo coming on for Wheatley and Nicholson, and Ainge going up front.

Quakers levelled on 70 minutes. They won a corner on the left hand side that was cleared as far as Tom Elliott, who superbly volleyed the ball through a crowd of players and into the net.

And Quakers nearly took the lead when Trotman found space on the right and fired across the face of goal, the ball narrowly missing the back post.

Then Saunders got away down the left from a Henshall pass, and fired just past the far post.

It was all Quakers after that, and a lovely ball by Thompson set up Saunders on his left foot, but he fired just wide.

Final: Curzon Ashton 1 Darlington 1

Team: Maddison, Trotman, Galbraith, Wheatley (sub Kokolo 66), Ainge, Smith, Elliott, Palmer, Saunders, Thompson, Nicholson (sub Henshall 66)

Subs: Glover, J Burn, Morrison,

Booking: Trotman, Nicholson

Mason, Thornley, McJannet, Hunt, Ali, Rowney (sub Shenton 66), Crankshaw, Earing, Reilly, Brooke (Sub Fawns 79), Wall (sub  Mcatee 64)

Subs: Lindfield, Miller,

Booking: Rowney