The last time we met Saturday's opponents Chorley was earlier in the season at Heritage Park.

August 24th 2016

Darlington 2 Chorley 0 

Darlington went top of the Vanarama National League North with a hard fought win over Chorley at Heritage Park last night.

Quakers had to work hard, as Chorley were probably the best team they have faced so far this season.

On 7 minutes Chorley’s early probing saw Matt Challoner break into the box on the right, and Peter Jameson slid out and blocked at his feet. From the corner that followed, Scott Leather headed firmly against the bar with the keeper beaten.

Quakers were exposed again on 10 minutes when Gonzales broke down the right and crossed to the far post where Paul Jarvis volleyed over the top from a good position.

And there was another escape for Quakers when Gonzales crossed from the right, and Josh O’Keefe, making an unmarked run into the box, poked the ball just wide.

Quakers stunned Chorley by getting a penalty on 14 minutes when Hardy made a good run into the box and was tripped by defender Kieran Charnock, and Terry Galbraith converted his third penalty of the season.

However, Chorley always looked dangerous, and they went close again on 31 minutes when Charnock glanced a free kick by Jarvis just wide.

And they had yet another chance when Carver sidestepped Liam Marrs and hit a low shot that Jameson saved one-handed low down to his right.

Quakers went 2-0 up from a left wing corner on 47 minutes when Josh Gillies swung the ball over to the far post, where Galbraith headed into the roof of the net.

Quakers nearly made it 3-0 when Tom Portas burst down the right and nearly succeeded in pulling the ball back perfectly for Hardy six yards out.

But with keeper Jameson clearly struggling, Quakers had to defend well in the box, with players throwing themselves in the way of opposition efforts.

Quakers though responded with a good run by Galbraith down the left, and his pinpoint cross was headed just wide by sub Nathan Cartman.

Darlington: Jameson, Marrs, Galbraith, Turnbull, Burgess, Brown, Portas, Scott, Beck, Hardy, Gillies

Subs: Thompson, Bell, Cartman, Hunter, Nowakowski

Attendance 1543