Blyth 3 Darlington 1

Quakers lost to a second half goal rush by Spartans after leading at half time at Croft Park.

Quakers played well in the first half at Croft Park, coping with the blustery wind and restricting Blyth to just a couple of chances with some good defending, while they gave Blyth plenty of problems when they attacked. They deservedly led with David Syers' third goal of the season, but the game turned on its head early in the second half.

The general feeling was that Quakers were made to pay for their mistakes.

Quakers caused a scare in the 4^th minute when a backpass went to Blyth keeper Peter Jameson, whose clearance was charged down by David Syers, but the ball looped in the air and Jameson caught it.

Quakers had a good attack on 8 minutes with a good run by Tom Portas that brought Liam Marrs into play on the right, but Marrs cross held up on the wind and Blyth got it away.

A free kick from Galbraith on the right caused problems for Blyth in their own box, and it took three attempts for them to get the ball away.

Syers got round the back of the defence on 11 minutes and pulled the ball back for Thompson, but he was crowded out for a corner, which was put over by Gillies and Collins headed over.

Blyth caused problems for the first time when Dale found Wrightson in the box, but Scott got in a great challenge to block his shot.

Then Ian Watson played a 1-2 with Dale and struck a low shot that Bartlett comfortably saved.

Quakers took the lead on 29 minutes. A corner from the right by Gillies was cleared straight to Syers, who controlled the ball quickly and then slotted it into the net between Jameson and his post for his third goal of the season.

Quakers had a chance for a second on 42 minutes when a right wing cross by Portas was only cleared to Syers, who pulled his left foot volley

Half time

Blyth 0 Darlo 1

503 fans in the away end, apparently, great stuff!

Quakers made a sub at half time, Kevin Burgess coming on for Collins, who took a knock near the end of the first half.

Blyth levelled three minutes into the second half. Quakers lost possession on the halfway line, and the ball was threaded through by Jarret Rivers to Adam Wrightson, who ran through and beat Bartlett with a left foot shot.

That goal encouraged Blyth, and they nearly got another when the ball dropped in the area, and Wrighton struck a shot that was blocked by Scott to loud appeals for handball.

Blyth went 2-1 up on 57 minutes. A free kick by Dale Hopson went ove to the far post for Dale to cross back into the middle for Sean Reid to head in.

Quakers nearly levelled straight away, Cartman found space on the left and squared for Gillies, whose sidefoot from 18 yards was blocked by Jameson.

And another chance came Quakers’ way with a deep free kick from the right by Galbraith that Syers managed to reach at full stretch on the six yard line, but Jameson saved well at his feet.

Blyth then thought they should have had a penalty when Dale tangled with Marrs on a run into the box and went down, but the ref awarded Quakers a free kick and booked Dale for diving.

Blyth had another chance, through Wrightson from a Hopson free kick, but the ball went straight to Bartlett.

Saunders came on for Gillies on 73 minutes, and Caton for Syers on 78 minutes.

Blyth went 3-1 up on 81 minutes when Dale controlled a diagonal ball on the left, ran into the area and lashed a left foot shot into the roof of the net with Bartlett helpless.

Attendance 1554, including 503 Darlo fans

Darlington: Bartlett, Marrs, Scott, Turnbull, Collins (sub Burgess 46), Galbraith, Gillies 9sub Saunders 73), Portas , Syers (sub Caton 78), Cartman, Thompson

Subs: Wheatley, Wilczynski,

Booking: Scott, Thompson

Blyth: Jameson, Cartwright, Watson, Reid, Buddle, Hutchinson, Rivers, McTiernan, Wrightson (sub Rutherford 86), Hopson, Dale (sub mcGlade 86)

Subs: Mullen, Liddle, MacDonald