Darlington 3 FC United 0

Quakers ended a run of seven games without a win with a deserved victory over FC United.

But they had to do it the hard way after having Kevin Burgess dismissed for a challenge just before half time. Quakers took over in the second half with goals by Nathan Cartman, David Ferguson and home debutant Joe Wheatley as FC United completely lost their discipline. They received eight yellow cards, two of which were second yellows, and they finished the game with nine men.

United had the first attempt at goal, a shot high over the bar from Jordan Fagbola from a right wing free kick, then Connor McCarthy tried his luck from 30 yards but Adam Bartlett was behind the ball all the way.

Quakers threatened when Terry Galbraith curled a free kick over from the right, and Dom Collins was inches away from connecting.

Quakers hit back, and Phil Turnbull fired over the bar after a corner was cleared out to him.

FC nearly scored on 14 minutes when Danny Wisdom met a corner full on the volley, and Bartlett did well to tip the ball over the bar.

But Quakers went straight back on the attack, and had a great chance when Gillies crossed from the left into the six yard box, where Collins was unlucky with a header that went just wide.

Quakers thought they’d scored on 25 minutes when Galbraith curled a free kick in from the right and Burgess scored at the second attempt, but the assistant’s flag went up for offside.

There was another chance on 33 minutes when Josh Gillies crossed deep from the right towards the far post for Ferguson to come charging in and meet the ball with a powerful header that FC keeper Allinson saved.

FC had Hughes booked for a tackle from behind on Beck -- he was third FC player booked. Kay for an argument with Turnbull, and Wisdom for tripping Wheatley in a Darlo breakaway.

But Quakers had a let off at the other end when Connor headed a right wing corner towards the bottom corner, and Liam Marrs cleared off the line.

Quakers went up the other end and nearly scored themselves. Turnbull crossed from the right, Beck nodded the ball down, and Burgess fired just over the top.

But Quakers were reduced to ten men when Burgess was instantly red carded for a strong challenge on Kay, and when the half time whistle sounded, three of his team mates protested again about the decision.

Half time 0-0

Quakers made a sub at the start of the second half, David Syers coming on for Josh Gillies

They had the first opportunity when Turnbull found Wheatley on the far side of the area with an excellent diagonal ball, and Wheatley cut inside and struck a left foot shot that flew just wide of the post.

Senior became the fourth FC player to be booked for a foul on Ferguson, and from the free kick, Quakers scored on 52 minutes.

Turnbull floated a free kick over to the far post where Beck nodded the ball down for Nathan Cartman to volley past the keeper into the bottom corner.

It was nearly 2-0 when Turnbull intercepted the ball in his own half and played the ball forward for Cartman to run through and fire just wide of the post.

Quakers were awarded a penalty on 62 minutes when Wheatley made a great run into the box and was brought down by Hughes. The ref awarded a penalty and a second yellow for Hughes.

But Allinson got down well to push Galbraith’s penalty against the bar, and then grabbed the loose ball.

Fagbola was then booked for a foul from behind on Cartman, the fifth FC player to be booked.

But Quakers went 2-0 up in 77 minutes. David Ferguson won the ball in midfield as FC started to break, and he burst forward past two men, and then buried a left foot shot past the keeper. Terrific goal - he scored another great one agaisnt FC last season.

Connor then became yellow card number 6 for a foul on Turnbull

But Quakers went 2-0 up in 77 minutes. David Ferguson won the ball in midfield as FC started to break, and he burst forward past two men, and then buried a left foot shot past the keeper.

Connor was then shown his second yellow for pushing Wheatley in the face.

And it was 3-0 when Turnbull found Ferguson with an excellent pass on the left, and Ferguson fired the ball to the far post where Wheatley slid the ball home!

Sub Stephen Thompson nearly added another, but he was denied by Allinson.

Attendance 1178

Bartlett, Marrs, Galbraith, Turnbull, Burgess, Collins (sub Vaulks 85), Gillies (sub Syers 46), Wheatley , Beck (Thompson 78), Cartman, Ferguson

Subs: Wilczynski, Saunders

Booking: Turnbull

Red card: Burgess

FC United

Allinson, Senior, Wisdom, Kay, Fagbola, Hughes, Connor, Irwin (sub Kinsella 73), Greaves (sub Brady 64), McCarthy, Logan (sub Hooper 58).

Subs: Baird, Corbett

Booking: Kay, Wisdom, Hughes, Senior, Fagbola, Connor

Sendings off: Hughes, Connor second yellow