DARLO DEFY BLACKWELL VERDICT TO EDGE BUCKS

DARLINGTON 1 AFC TELFORD 0

MARK BECK’S 17th goal of the season gave Darlington their fourth win in a row, the team finding form despite discovering they will not be allowed in the play-offs.

The club’s Blackwell Meadows home ground does not have the required 500 covered seats, meaning they cannot take part in the play-offs even if they finish in the top five.

Victory over AFC Telford United means they stay fourth, having put together four backto-back wins for the first time since August.

They found Telford tough to breakdown, the opposition demonstrating why they have conceded so few goals.

Quakers’ best firsthalf chance fell to Dave Syers, who headed over when on the end of a Josh Gillies cross.

Referee Simeon Lucas pointed the spot in the 53rd minute when David Ferguson was fouled by Dwayne Samuels, the left-back having got on the end of Nathan Cartman’s back-heel.

Beck made no mistake from the spot and should have had a second later in the half, firing wide when played in by sub Leon Scott.

Fellow sub Harvey Saunders felt he had won a penalty when his run was stopped by Samuels, but in the closing stages Quakers keeper Adam Bartlett became increasingly involved as United made a spirited fightback.