Nuneaton 2 Darlington 1

A late fightback wasn't enough for Quakers to earn a point at Liberty Way.

A goal early in each half was enough to beat Quakers, who launched a late fightback that earned them one goal, but on the other hand, dam Bartlett pulled off several good saves at the other end.

There was some early pressure from Nuneaton, but the Quakers defence managed to clear their lines.

The home side took the lead after 7 minutes, when Ashley Chambers played a one-two that sent him through and he tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

Quakers nearly went 2-0 down when Galbraith was short with a back pass letting Chambers in, but Liam Marrs managed to get across and block the striker’s shot.

Chambers again went charging through on 14 minutes, but Collins just managed to get a challenge in, and Bartlett saved.

Quakers had a corner from the left on 16 minutes, but Gillies corner was held by Lyness under pressure.

And again Bartlett had to come off his lien and save on 19 minutes, when Nti popped up on the left, and the keeper blocked his shot with his legs, then a minute later, Gillies stopped a Jordan Nicholson effort on the six yard line.

But Quakers nearly levelled on 24 minutes. Saunders held the ball up well and laid the ball back for Gillies, who tried his luck wit ha 20 yarder that curled over the keeper, but hit the post.

Then a minute later Thompson struck a low shot that Lyness just saved low down.

Quakers kept going, and a poor header in the Nuneaton area was seized upon by Saunders, who unfortunately could only fire straight at the keeper.

Half time

Nuneaton 1 Darlington 0

Quakers made a sub at half time, Syers coming on for Cartman.

Quakers went 2 down within three minutes of the restart, when Quakers didn’t clear the ball in their box and Jordan Nicholson scored with a left foot shot.

Quakers then made another sub, Portas being replaced by Joe Wheatley, and they nearly pulled a goal back with a low shot by David Syers that Lyness just managed to save at full stretch.

Bartlett then made another good save, this time low down at the foot of his post after Alex Henshall had run into the box from the right.

But Quakers hit back and after some good pressure, Thompson moved in from the left, and had a right foot shot deflected wide

Quakers then made their third sub, Burgess coming on for Scott, and going up front.

With just three at the back, Quakers left themselves open, and and Marrs did well to clear off the line after Trotman had dribbled through.

But at the other end, Syers just failed to get a touch a couple of yards out on to a left wing free kick by Galbraith, and Saunders appealed in vain for a penalty when he went down in the area , claiming he was pushed.

And Quakers nearly pulled a goal back with four minutes left when Saunders couldn’t quite get a shot in, but the ball ran for Wheatley to fire towards goal, but Lyness saved.

Quakers finally pulled a goal back in the fourth minute of stoppage time, David Syers scoring with a left foot shot that was deflected past the keeper.

Bartlett, Marrs, Scott (sub Burgess 70), Turnbull, Collins, Galbraith, Gillies, Portas (sub Wheatley 50), Cartman (sub Syers 46), Saunders, Thompson

Subs:  Wilczynski,  Dawson,

Booking: Thompson , Marrs

Lyness, Trotman, Dielna, Elliott, Gascoigne, Heaton, Nti (sub Hickey 78), Daniels, Chambers, Nicholson, Henshall (sub mills 75)

Subs: Taylor, Beswick, Geohaghon,