Sutton Coldfield 0 Darlington 1

Quakers stayed in third place and well in touch with Blyth and Workington thanks to the only goal of the game by Adam Mitchell at Sutton Coldfield.

Quakers had a loud shout for a penalty on 4 minutes. Terry Galbraith crossed deep from the left to the far post where Adam Mitchell perfectly volleyed left footed from the corner of the six yard box towards goal, but a defender blocked his effort, with Mitchell screaming for handball.

Sutton were pretty direct with their tactics, but when they did threaten through Danny O’Callaghan, Chris Hunter put in an excellent tackle.

Sutton had to make a substitution on 15 minutes when centre half Joel Kettle limped off and was replaced by James Beresford.

Quakers had more of the possession at this stage, but couldn't create the openings inside the Sutton penalty area.

Quakers got a free kick just inside the Sutton half on 27 minutes, which was curled into the box by Adam Mitchell, and Gary Brown, with a back header, was about a yard over the top.

Quakers took the lead on 30 minutes. Lee Gaskell cleverly kept the ball under control on the left, put the ball into the box where Leon Scott forced the ball on for Adam Mitchell to place into the bottom right hand corner for his second league goal of the season.

After that, Quakers gained firm control, but didn't create any more clear opportunities before the break.

Half time:

Sutton Coldfield 0 Darlington 1

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At the start of the second half, Gary Brown almost connected to a free kick that had been whipped in from the right by Adam Mitchell.

Sutton showed signs of getting back into the game, and they went close on 58 minutes when Burgess charged a shot down, and the ball ran for Scott Lycett to drill a right foot shot just wide.

Darlington manager Martin Gray then made two changes bringing off Cartman and Gaskell and replacing them with Graeme Armstrong and Liam Hardy.

Armstrong was immediately involved, laying the ball back for Mitchell to set up Thompson, who fired over the top from ten yards.

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There was another chance for Quakers when Graeme Armstrong chased a ball through, beat a defender, but lobbed the ball just wide of the post.

Another chance came Quakers’ way, when there was a scramble ten yards out, and the ball fell for Mitchell, whose right foot shot was blocked on the line.

Another chance was wasted on 76 minutes when Mitchell crossed from the left over to the far post, where Armstrong tried to guide his header over the keeper, but instead the ball went over the top of James Wren’s bar.

Quakers' inability to get the  second and encouraged Sutton, who put together a couple of dangerous attacks that Quakers broke up, but Quakers were relieved when Sutton broke down the right through Hubbins, who pulled the ball back for O'Callaghan and in turn he fired straight at Peter Jameson when he should have done better.

There was a late scare for Quakers when an injury time free kick bounced around in the area and O'Callaghan went down when he was challenged by Jameson, but the assistant's flag went up for offside.

Darlington

Darlington: Jameson, Hunter, Galbraith, Turnbull, Burgess, Brown, Mitchell, Scott, Gaskell (sub Hardy 59), Cartman (sub Armstrong 59), Thompson (sub Portas 78)

Subs: Nowakowski, Provett.

Booking: Burgess, Brown, Turnbull

Sutton Coldfield

Wren, Gonzales, Jackson, Forde, Kettle (sub Beresford 15), Lycett, Edmonds, Goddard (sub Palmer 60), Mannion (sub Turton 45), O'Callaghan, Hubbins

Sub not used: Gwilliams

Booking: Edmonds, Palmer, Lycett

Referee: Neil Radford