Darlington Reserves climbed two places in the table with a cracking 3-2 away win at Windscale on Saturday.

While most of the games in the north east were called off because of frozen pitches, the weather in Cumbria hadn’t been anywhere near as harsh, and the game was played on an excellent pitch.

Joint manager Mark Fanning said; “The win was well worth the two hour journey to get there. It could have been better, because we gave away two soft goals, but we played some good football with a young team. We included three lads from our Under 18s – Dale Milburn, Lee Hume and Joseph Smith – and they did very well indeed. Dale caused their defence loads of problems with his pace and movement.

“The pitch was in great condition, we were pleasantly surprised when we got there.

“After three defeats, it was great to get back on the winning trail and move up the table. Another win next week, and we’re one place below the top half of the table.”

After Nathan Stephenson and Lewis Reece put Quakers 2-0 up, Windscale pulled back level, but Stephenson scored the winner from the penalty spot.

The reserves are now 14th in the table, and are at home to Prudhoe this Saturday, and then at home to South Shields Reserves a week on Saturday.