Darlington 2 Southport 0

O'Neill 4 mins , Campbell (pen) 29 mins

Attendance  1,331

Two goals in the first 30 minutes gave Darlington a well-deserved win over previously-unbeaten Southport.

Quakers started the game at a fast tempo, and that enabled then to take a fourth minute lead through Tyrone O'Neill. That was followed by some excellent football that resulted in Adam Campbell scoring the second from the spot.

From a defensive point of view, they were strong against a big attack, and there was no sign of the errors that littered Monday's defeat at Curzon Ashton. However, right back Michael Liddle had to be helped off with an injury just before half time, and he could miss the next game against Altrincham.

Quakers took the lead after just 4 minutes. A ball into the box caused problems in the Southport box, Campbell managed to get his toe to the ball, and it rolled for O’Neill, who stepped forward and struck a left foot shot into the top left corner --the first goal that Southport have conceded this season.

They had chances to extend the lead when Donawa twice got away in the inside left position, but he dragged his efforts wide.

Southport tried to test the Darlington defence with the wind behind them, but Quakers dealt with the pressure comfortably.

Quakers went 2-0 up on 29 minutes. The ball was worked out to Jarrett Rivers on the right, he briefly lost control of the ball, regained possession but was tripped by Ogle.

The referee pointed to the spot, from where Campbell sent the keeper the wrong way, his second goal for the club.

And it was nearly 3-0 when O’Neill found Rivers to his right, and Rivers’ right foot shot went inches wide.

Donawa made another good run down the left, and his left footed cross was deflected just over the top.

Quakers were forced into a change on 43 minutes when Liddle limped off and was replaced by Heaton, which meant that Quakers went with three centre halves, and Donawa playing as a right wing back.

Half time:

Darlington 2 Southport 0

Southport made three subs at the break as they looked for improvement in the second half.

Rivers showed some great trickery on 49 minutes when he picked up a pass from Watson on the left, jinked one way and the other, and struck a left foot shot just wide.

The keeper also denied Bascome , going full length again to push away the midfielder’s fiercely driven free kick from just outside the box, awarded for a foul on Will Hatfield.

Southport had a rare chance, when Jack Sampson headed a long throw from the right over the top.

The visitors pressed forward more, and Hatfield made a good interception after Sampson pulled the ball back into the six yard box.

Raul Correia then held off two defenders and struck a low shot that Elliott saved.

Overall though, Quakers held on against the late pressure for a richly-deserved win, their second at home this season.

Final score

Darlington 2 Southport 0

Darlington:

Elliott, Liddle (sub Heaton 43), Watson, Bascome, (Holness 80) Laing, Galbraith, Rivers, Hatfield, Campbell, Donawa (sub Wheatley 87), O’Neill.

Subs: , Bell, Atkinson,

Booking:Donawa

Southport

Hanford, Mohammed (Benjamin 46), Ogle, Winnard, Astles, Morgan, Glynn (Green 46), Lacey (Doyle 46), Correia, Sampson, Bauress

Subs:  Albinson, Woods