Darlington fell to their third straight home defeat this afternoon, with the visitors scoring the only goal from the penalty spot in the second half.

Tom Portas went off injured inside the first five minutes for the Quakers.

Alan White conceded the penalty with 15 minutes left, allowing Lloyd Ellams to step-up and score the only goal of the game.

Manager Martin Gray made just one change to the starting line-up, new signing Lee Gaskell coming into the side in place of Graeme Armstrong.

[caption id="attachment_13825" align="alignnone" width="226"] Darlington's new signing Lee Gaskell[/caption]

Darlington suffered a heavy blow after just five minutes when last year’s player of the season, Tom Portas, went down in the middle of the pitch unchallenged. Leon Scott came on for him in the centre of midfield.

The Quakers started the brighter and Nathan Cartman nearly scored a spectacular goal, but his strike from just outside the box narrowly missed the target.

Cartman had a much easier chance mid-way through the half when he was unmarked in the six yard area, but he mistimed his header.

At the other end, Marine had a great chance just before half-time, but Pete Jameson was able to save from close range.

Armstrong and Adam Mitchell were introduced in the second-half, but the side still struggled to break down a defence that has only conceded eight league goals this season.

Scott had Darlington’s best chance in the second half, but he was unable to control his volley.

With quarter of an hour to go the visitors were awarded a penalty after White fouled Lewis Codling in the box. Ellams sent Jameson the wrong way to give Marine the lead.

Despite pushing forward Darlington were unable to get the equaliser, as they fell to their third home defeat in a row.

The result was worsened after the final whistle when Alan White was shown a red card.

Darlington team – Jameson, Hunter, Galbraith, Burgess, White, Portas(Scott), Turnbull, Thompson(Armstrong), Youhill(Mitchell), Cartman, Gaskell

There'll be highlights of the game on the website tonight and tomorrow, with reaction from manager Martin Gray.