Below-standard Quakers’ Salford surrender

DARLINGTON finished in fifth place in the Vanarama National League North with their fifth away defeat of the season,

But they won’t be allowed to compete in the play-offs because their ground isn’t up to the required standard.

Salford went ahead after just seven minutes, a free-kick curled in from the right by Sam Walker dropping for Simon Grand to hammer home.

Quakers nearly equalised on 17 minutes as Gary Brown’s shot was deflected into the path of Cartman 10 yards out. His left-foot shot beat Jay Lynch, but then hit the inside of both posts before ending up in the keeper’s grateful hands.

Quakers deservedly levelled on 20 minutes. Josh Gillies mishit his effort from 25 yards, but the ball ran for Nathan Cartman, who played the ball sideways to Mark Beck, who in turn slotted the ball past Jay Lynch for his 18th goal of the season.

Quakers went behind again on 37 minutes. Another long throw came in from the right from Josh Hine, and Brown, under a lot of pressure, deflected the ball into his own net. It was 3-1 on 40 minutes. An inswinging corner from the right was headed back at the far post by Fraser Horsfall for Michael Nottingham to head past the stranded Bartlett.

It was nearly 4-1 on 51 minutes when Jordan Hulme played a 1-2 with Mike Phenix, and his right-foot shot was well saved by Adam Bartlett, who recovered well and blocked the follow-up.

The keeper pulled off another good save when he a parried a Hulme header for a corner.

But Salford scored from another corner on 53 minutes. It was swung over by Walker from the right to the far post where Horsfall headed home from a couple of yards.

Salford were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes when Phenix burst into the Darlington box and was tripped by Chris Hunter.

The referee pointed to the spot, from where Walker fired over the bar.

However, David Norris got the fifth with 10 minutes left when Quakers didn’t get a free-kick away, and his left-foot shot was deflected into the net off Brown.