Redcar Athletic 2 Darlington Reserves 3

Darlington Reserves had a fantastic 3-2 away win title chasing Redcar Athletic today – their fifth successive league win.

Redcar was the biggest test yet for the youngsters who have come on in leaps and bounds in recent weeks, and they came through it with flying colours.

They took the lead through Joey Smith, and even though Redcar equalised, they went 3-1 up with goals by Kurt Matthews and Nathan Stephenson. (courtesy of Nathan's dad Lee, here's the third goal!)

18th february redcar v darlington reserves video

Redcar pulled a goal back from the spot in stoppage time, but the lads held on well.

Joint manager Mark Fanning said; “That was our best win of the season so far, but ironically we weren’t at our footballing best. They broke our usual play up, but we responded well.

“But no doubt about it, we played better football than them, and off the ball defensively we were superb..”

Quakers included two new signings, keeper Joe Forbes and defender Alex Nelson, and both of them came through well.

Their next game is at home to Gateshead Leam Lane on Saturday, kick off 2pm at Eastbourne.