Curzon Ashton 1 Darlington 2

Goal: Maskell 6 mins, 0-1, Main 62 mins 0-2, Barton 90+2

Quakers pulled off back-to-back away wins with a comfortable away victory at the Tameside Stadium, their ninth on their travels this season and their second in four days.

Jack Maskell gave them an ideal start after five minutes, and Quakers missed several chances to increase their lead before Cedric Main settled the nerves in the second half with his 15th goal of the season

The points also mean that they climb back into the play off positions, in sixth place above Macclesfield ad Sarborough, who both lost.

Curzon gained the first corner of the game in the second minute. The ball was hoisted deep towards the far post, where Ruben Curley volleyed wide.

Quakers obtained their first corner of the game on 6 minutes from a Max Howells cross which was cleared at the near post, and Quakers took the lead from it. The ball was floated into the middle by Ellis Stanton where Jack Maskell came steaming in and headed past the keeper for his 11th goal of the season.

Quakers threatened again when Howells made a good run, played a 1-2 with Maskell,  but a defender just managed to intercept.

It was nearly 2-0 when Stanton found Tom Tweedy on the left, and he crossed to the far post where Howells volleyed into the side netting, and there was another chance when Maskell pounced on a mistake, rounded a defender, but Hawkins saved at his feet.

Howells, who was causing all sorts of issues on the right, cut in and had a left foot shot that was heading for the top corner, deflected behind, then Main had a low effort saved.

And there was another chance when Scott Barrow set up Will McGowan, whose left shot was saved at full stretch by Hawkins.

But when Curzon broke to the edge of the Darlington area, McGowan tracked back and made a great tackle and stopped Alex Curran.

The chances resumed at the other end, and a teasing cross by Tweedy was met by Maskell, but his header was saved on the line by Hawkins.

Quakers thought they’d scored a second from a corner on 36 minutes that the keeper punched in the air and Main claimed he’d put the ball over the line, but the assistant kept his flag down.

Tweedy, who had more of a central role, popped up on the right to put in another teasing cross that landed on the roof of the net, then Stanton put McGowan through but from a tight angle he could only find the side netting.

Quakers ended the half well on top, and fully deserving their lead.

Half time

Curzon Ashton 0 Darlington 1

Tweedy started the second half by cutting in from the right and firing over the top.

Then the outstanding Maskell won the ball in a tackle, got up, and sprinted into the middle while the ball was played up the left for Allan to cross for Maskell to head just over.

Howells was then unfortunate to see a driven low cross from the right for a defender to clear just past his own post.

But Quakers had an escape when Tony Weston broke down the right, got into the area, but nobody could turn his low cross home.

However, Quakers gave themselves some deserved breathing space on 62 minutes, when Main picked the ball up 30 yards out, and hit a right foot shot that easily beat Hawkins for his 15th goal of the season.

Curzon tried to hit back, and a low shot by Charlie Weston came back off the post with Wastson beaten.

Quakers then made a sub, Matty Cornish  coming on for Tom Allan on 65 minutes

Curzon, who had been outplayed up to now, nearly pulled one back with a header by Joel Amado, that Watson saved on his line.

Quakers then made their second sub on 78 minutes, Aidan Rutledge coming on for Main

However, Quakers regained control, and Rutledge was inches away from connecting to a McGowan cross, then Rutledge tried to dribble his way through but his shot was deflected wide.

Adam Barton pulled a late goal back for Curzon, but Quakers held on for a well-deserved win.

Curzon Ashton 1 Darlington 2

Watson, Forbes, Lees, Barrow, Howells (sub Griffiths 84), Stanton, Allan (sub Cornish 65), McGowan, Tweedy, Main (sub Rutledge 78), Maskell

Subs: McGrath, Hedley, Lowes, Myers-Smith

Booking: Main