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Darlington 2 Halesowen 1

Graeme Armstrong's winner eleven minutes from the end gave Quakers three valuable points as they came back from a goal down to keep the pressure on leaders Blyth.

Quakers were in trouble when Halesowen took the lead, but Terry Galbraith levelled from the penalty spot and sub Armstrong got the winner.

Quakers were reduced to ten men when Kevin Burgess had to leave the field for treatment to a facial injury which meant that Chris Hunter switched to the middle, and Tom Portas went to right back.

Halesowen had the first shot at goal on 7 minutes, when the ball dropped to Chiriac just outside the Darlo box, but he fired well over the top.

Quakers had a couple of promising breakaways, one with Leon Scott, whose low cross was turned just wide by a defender.

Burgess returned with his head heavily bandaged after 14 minutes to a huge cheer.

They had their first real chance on 17 minutes when Lee Gaskell sent Nathan Cartman running through in the inside left position, and the little striker, under pressure, fired just past the far post.

Quakers went close again on 20 minutes, when Turnbull’s header was helped on by Stephen Thompson for Gaskell to fire into the side netting.

Thompson nearly scored on 27 minutes. Cartman cleverly crossed from next to the corner flag into the middle for Thompson to volley on the full towards goal, and keeper Daniel Platt fumbled the ball around the post.

From Galbraith’s corner, Brown headed at the keeper from twelve yards.

Halesowen kept ten men behind the ball, and made it difficult for Darlo to break them down.

Quakers had to make a change before half time, Brown going off injured, and Adam Mitchell replaced him.

Half time: Darlington 0 Halesowen 0 (Blyth are drawing 0-0 at Stamford as well)

Attendance 1416

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Quakers had a great chance on 48 minutes. Hunter’s long free kick was kept in by sub Mitchell, and he pulled the ball back for Gaskell, who sidefooted over the top.

Quakers fell behind on 54 minutes. Hunter, halfway inside his own half, lost possession to Michael Turner, who ran through and prodded the ball past Pete Jameson.

But Quakers were straight back in the game a minute later. Tom Portas was bundled to the ground, referee Byrne pointed to the spot, and Galbraith tucked in the penalty.

Halesowen tightened up again, and it got a little frustrating for Quakers on a bobbly pitch.

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Quakers next chance didn’t come until the 79^th minute when Turnbull made a good run into the box, set up Portas, but his shot was smothered for a corner.

But Quakers took the lead from the corner. Galbraith’s corner was headed goalwards by Burgess, the ball was parried, but Armstrong pounced to score his 9^th goal of the season.

Quakers took no risks after that, and made sure that they played the game out in control.

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Darlington: Jameson, Hunter, Galbraith, Turnbull, Burgess, Brown (sub Mitchell 44), Portas, Scott, Gaskell (sub Hardy 64), Cartman, Thompson (sub Armstrong 45)

Subs: Provett, Nowakowski

Booking: Burgess (foul), Galbraith (foul)

Halesowen:

Platt, Connolly, Griffiths, Forsyth, Morrison, Parson-Smith, Charlton (sub Lewis), Maile, Turner, Chiriac, Sweeney (sub Melvin 74).

Subs: Denny, Bragoli, Anderson

Booking: Chiriac (foul), Maile (foul)

Referee: Helen Byrne

Attendance 1416