Alfreton 1 Darlington 2

Branson 3 mins (1-0), O'Neill 85 (1-1), Donawa 86 (1-2)

Two goals in a frantic minute from Tyrone O'Neill and Justin Donawa gave Quakers the points at North Street, and their first away league win of the season.

After a low key first half, Quakers put their game together in the second half, and their persistence paid off with a two goal burst that sent everyone wild. They created and missed several chances as they dominated the game, and it looked as if it wouldn't be their day until Tyrone O'Neill equalised.

The Boro loanee was heavily involved in the winner, the keeper palming his powerful effort out for Justin Donawa to sidefoot in.

The players showed a huge amount of character, none more so than defender Michael Liddle, who played more than half the game with a broken nose, sustained in a first half clash.

you can watch an interview with Michael here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dae8ktwVC3Q

It was Quakers' first away league win of the season, hot on the heels of the FA Cup win at Trafford.

Alfreton took the lead with their first attack on 3 minutes, when Josh Clackstone crossed from the right for Connor Branson to head firmly past Chris Elliott from six yards.

Quakers tried to reply with a left wing cross by Stephen Thompson that went across the penalty area  for Ben Hedley to fire over the top.

Alfreton burst through the middle on 6 minutes through Danny Clarke, but he pulled his shot wide, then Ben Hedley made a good headed clearance to clear another right wing cross.

Tyrone O’Neill almost got on the end of a Hedley cross after a patient build up.

A neat backheel by O'Neill put Hatfield clear in the box, and his pull back for Campbell was cleared on the six yard line, and then Campbell had a curling free kick from 25 yards blocked.

Just before half time, Liddle played a good i-2 with Thompson to get to the bye line, but his cross was held by Charlie Andrew.

Overall though, there was little to be excited about, with the ball in the air nearly all the time.

Half time 1-0

But the second half was a big contrast to the first.

Quakers found some space to create a couple of chances at the start of the second half, and Wheatley and O’Neill had shots blocked on the edge of the box.

Campbell then sent O’Neill away, and his shot was deflected out for a corner.

Holness then made a quick break from defence, carrying the ball 40 yards, but Thompson was caught offside when he played the ball to him.

Quakers nearly levelled on the hour when sub Jarrett Rivers floated a corner over from the right, and Thompson’s header was somehow cleared off the line.

That incident lifted Quakers. In their next attack, Campbell picked up a through ball on the left, rounded the keeper but was forced wide and he couldn’t put the ball in.

Then Wheatley put Campbell through 1 on 1 but Andrew blocked at his feet, and Thompson put the loose ball over.

Rivers then picked the ball up on the left and crossed for O’Neill to head just over, then Hedley crossed from the right for Donawa to head just wide.

It looked as if the goal might not come, but suddenly it all fell into place.

Quakers kept going and levelled on 85 minutes. Wheatley was fouled on the edge of the box, Liddle stepped over the ball, Wheatley’s right footed free kick was palmed away to Campbell, who chipped the ball back into the middle for O’Neill to head in at the far post.

With the travelling fans roaring them on, in Quakers’ next attack, O’Neill burst through the middle, had a low shot blocked by Andrew, and sub Justin Donawa followed up to sidefoot the ball into the bottom corner for the winner! It was the Bermudan's second goal in as many games.

There were jubilant scenes on the touchline, on the field and in the crowd when the final whistle went!

And here's an interview with manager Alun Armstrong after the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BV3Yx0jzI

Final score: Alfreton 1 Darlington 2

Elliott, Hedley, Liddle, Wheatley, Storey, Galbraith, Holness (sub Rivers 59), Hatfield, Campbell (Bascome 89), Thompson (sub Donawa 65), O’Neill

Subs: Bell, Holliday,

Bookings: Hedley, Wheatley

Andrew, Clackstone, Wilde (sub East 75), Lynch (sub Blake 90), Branson, Qualter, Thacker, Smith, Clarke (Sub Bacon 73), Morgan-Smith, Johnson

Subs: East, Unwin-Marris, Bacon, Williams, Blake

Booking: Branson, Lynch, Qualter

Attendance 574