Darlington went top of the table with a 1-1 draw at Ilkeston tonight, but they had to play for the last half an hour with ten men.

Quakers started the game with Alan White restored to the centre of defence alongside Kevin Burgess, with Chris Hunter moved to right back.

After Nathan Cartman had a goal disallowed, Quakers’ keeper Peter Jameson was the first into action when he pushed a shot by Danny Gordon over the bar.

[caption id="attachment_13598" align="alignnone" width="300"] Nathan Cartman scores, but is caught offside[/caption]

However, Jameson had no chance when Ilkeston took the lead from the penalty spot on 10 minutes. Leon Scott brought down JJ Blake, and the Ilkeston player picked himself up to score from the spot.

[caption id="attachment_13600" align="alignnone" width="300"] Peter Jameson has no chance against JJ Blake's penalty[/caption]

Quakers tried to hit back, but Adam Mitchell fired wide, and Cartman had an overhead kick saved, while Ilkeston keeper Ross Durrant just managed to stop Tom Portas from scoring off a pass by Stephen Thompson.

However, it was the home side who nearly scored again, Jonathan Edwards heading against the bar from a corner just before half time.

But whatever manager Martin Gray said at half time clearly worked, because two minutes after half time, Quakers equalised when Terry Galbraith scored from an Adam Mitchell corner.

[caption id="attachment_13601" align="alignnone" width="300"] Terry Galbraith is congratulated after his goal[/caption]

However, just a few minutes after the goal, Quakers were caught on the break and Chris Hunter brought down Michael Williams, and was red carded for what the referee deemed a reckless challenge, although Hunter was clearly bemused by the sending off.

[caption id="attachment_13602" align="alignnone" width="300"] Chris Hunter walks to the dressing room after being red carded[/caption]

Quakers were then briefly down to nine men while central defender Alan White went off to receive treatment for a head injury, and when he came back on with his head bandaged, he almost scored from a free kick, but his header went just over the bar.

After that, Quakers defended well to go top of the table for 24 hours at least.

Darlington:

Jameson, Hunter, Burgess, White, Galbraith, Mitchell, Portas, Turnbull, Scott, Thompson (sub Bell 65), Cartman (sub Youhill 74).

Subs not used: Armstrong, Watson, Provett.

Bookings: Mitchell, Thompson, White

Sending off: Hunter

Attendance 489

Pics by Tim Hickman