Boston 3 Darlington 1

Attendance 1541

Goal: Goodson 19 mins pen, Shiels 49 mins, 2-0, Burrow 52 mins, 3-0, Liddle 80 mins 3-1

Quakers six game winning away run came to an end at the Jakemans Stadium.

They fell behind to a controversial goal after 19 minutes, but they couldn't find the great form they'd displayed throughout their run, and a late goal by Ben Liddle when they were 3-0 down couldn't spark the revival needed to grab a draw.

Here are Alun's thoughts on the defeat:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/alun-reacts-to-boston-united-defeat

and here are the goals:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/goals-from-boston-v-darlington-available-now

Nevertheless, Quakers are still third in the table, a point behind Kings Lynn and four behind Fylde. In terms of securing a play off place, they are eight points clear of eighth placed Kidderminster.

Boston had the first chance in the second minute. A free kick into the Darlington box was headed down for Billy Chadwick to have a shot blocked on the six yard line.

Quakers replied with a good ball by Liddle for Hazel to try his luck with a first time shot that went over the top.

The game was fairly open at this stage, and Tom Nixon broke down the right and crossed for Jordan Burrow to head into Tommy Taylor’s hands from ten yards.

Alex Purver did well to get in a covering tackle on Chadwick on 12 minutes to concede a corner that Taylor comfortably caught.

Quakers nearly took the lead on 13 minutes. Liddle caught the Boston defence flat footed with a good ball forward for Hazel, who fired left footed just wide of the far post.

The referee awarded Boston a free kick on the halfway line on 19 minutes when it could easily have been given to Darlington – Burrow seemed to foul Sukar and not the other way around -- and when the ball went into the boston box, Adriano Moke was adjudged to have committed a foul, and Zak Goodson scored from the spot.

Nathan Newall did well to track back and calmly make an interception in the Darlington area as Boston attacked down their right.

Quakers felt that they should have had a free kick when Shiels climbed over Hazel on the edge of the Boston box, but the referee waved play on.

Quakers nearly went 2-0 down on 33 minutes. A left wing corner caused problems in the Darlington box, and Zak Mills close range effort was somehow cleared off the line by Kaine Felix.

Quakers responded with a cross from the right by Purver for Lambert to knock down for Hazel to turn and fire over the top.

Taylor made a good save low down to his right from a first time shot by Goodson on 38 minutes

The visitors nearly levelled on 39 minutes when Moke found Lambert in the box, and he turned quickly and sent a left foot shot just wide of the right hand post.

HT 1-0

Quakers started the second half with a 1-2 that got Felix round the back of the Boston defence, but his pull back was intercepted.

Liddle then sent Felix away on the left, but again his cross was cut out.

Boston went 2-0 up on 48 minutes, a corner went to the far post where Luke Shiels’ header was blocked, but he recovered quickly to put the ball into the roof of the net.

It was 3-0 on 52 minutes, when a low ball came in from the right, Taylor couldn’t hold it, and Jordan Burrow tapped in.

Quakers brought on Ben Hedley on 56 minutes in place of Sukar -- who had been suffering from illness --  with Brookwell moving across to centre back, then Theo Williams came on for Moke.

Boston also made two subs as they tried to close the game out.

Quakers pulled a goal back on 80 minutes, when Felix got round the back on the right, and even though his pull back was intercepted, Liddle was on hand to drive the ball home.

They nearly got another back, when Newall found sub Williams on the right, and his chip found Felix, who headed into the keeper’s hands.

But they had left themselves too much to do against Boston, who deserved their victory.

Final score: Boston 3 Darlington 1

Taylor, Brookwell, Lawlor, Sukar (sub Hedley 56), Newall, Moke (sub Williams 61), Purver, Liddle, Felix, Hazel, Lambert

Subs: Rose, Mondal, Rivers,

Booking: Liddle 

Boston: Gregory, Sephton, Platt, Shiels (sub Atkinson 56), Burrow, Pollock, Goodson (sub Hasani 70), Chadwick (sub Muakandafa 70), Mills, Cummings, Nixon

Subs: Mitford, McLintock

Bookings: Chadwick, Cummings