Darlington 3 Spennymoor 2, 

Goal: Curtis 10 mins, 0-1, Lambert 16 mins, 1-1, Hazel 20 mins, 2-1, 48 mins 3-1, Shanks 75 mins, 3-2

Attendance 1903

Quakers won for the first time in four home games to keep their promotion hopes well and truly on track.

After falling behind to an early goal, Quakers hit back to equalise through Jack Lambert, then two goals from Jacob Hazel gave them victory. Spennymoor pulled a late goal back and forced Quakers back on the defensive late in the game, but every player defended well to hold on to three points.

The final whistle was met by loud cheers from the fans, who backed the players all the way through the ninety minutes.

The result means that Quakers are third in the table, and have reduced the gap on the leaders to just two points, with a home game coming up on Tuesday against Southport.

The points were also a big boost, considering the events of the past fortnight.

Here are Alun's thoughts on the game and the goals:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/post-match-reaction-and-goals-from-spennymoor-win

Spennymoor had the first chance on 7 minutes. A ball from the right was half cleared to John Lufudu, but he pulled his effort wide of the target from eight yards.

Moors took the lead on 10 minutes. Corey McKeown floated a free kick over from the right for James Curtis to come in and head into the bottom corner.

Moors nearly got another when the ball came to Glen Taylor on the edge of the box, but Jake Lawlor blocked his shot well.

Quakers levelled on 16 minutes. Kallum Griffiths found Kaine Felix up the right, he beat Curtis to the ball before it went out and played it inside for Jacob Hazel, who played the ball across the six yard for Jack Lambert, who sidestepped a defender and squeezed the ball in at the near post past Dan Langley, his 16th of the season.

Quakers went in front a few minutes later. Griffiths found Lambert with a sweeping crossfield ball to the right, and Lambert crossed into the middle where Jacob Hazel beat the keeper with a stooping header, his 13th of the season.

It was nearly 3-1 on 27 minutes. Liddle found Lambert on the left, and he cut inside past a defender and hit a right foot shot just over the angle of post and crossbar.

Lambert showed another great piece of skill on 31 minutes when he picked the ball up on the left, beat a defender, but his cross was just too far ahead of Hazel.

But at the other end, Lawlor had to make a timely interception after Lufudu had got round the back of the defence.

A left wing cross by Liddle caused some confusion in the Moors defence when he was aiming at Hazel, but Langley managed to fist the ball away, colliding with Curtis in the process.

Quakers had a let off when Lawlor played a back pass straight to Blackett, but Jassem Sukar managed to get back and cover.

Just on half time, another free kick into the Darlington box saw Callum Ross’ header saved by Taylor, who also saved an effort by Reece Kendall.

Taylor pulled off a a good save in stoppage time from Mbeka’s header off a McKeown free kick

Half time

Darlington 2 Spennymoor 1

Quakers went 3-1 up at the start of the second half when Liddle played a perfectly-weighted ball through for Hazel to latch on to, run into the box, and stroke past Langley for his 14th goal of the season.

After Moors had penalty appeals turned down for a foul, Hazel broke at the other end on the left, but dragged his effort wide.

Quakers had a scare when Lufudu got round the back and set up Mckeown, whose effort was scrambled off the line by a combination of Griffiths and Taylor, who needed treatment.

Moors had a free kick on 59 minutes, but Kendall’s header was comfortably saved by Taylor, who then blocked a low effort by Lufudu at the foot of his left hand post.

Quakers responded by creating a chance on 62 minutes, when Moke found Felix on the right, and the winger hit a right foot shot just over the bar.

It was almost 4-1 on 64 minutes when Langley failed to gather a cross by Felix and Hazel seemed a certain scorer, but he couldn’t get his header on target.

Lufudu again caused Quakers a problem on 68 minutes when he got past Hedley and set up Taylor, whose looping effort dropped onto the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Moors kept going, and they pulled a goal back on 75 minutes, when the ball was helped on in the box for sub Connor Shanks to fire into the roof of the net.

And Moors had another chance soon after, but Taylor saved well from Blackett.

Theo Williams can on as sub and nearly scored with his first touch when a ball through by Liddle found him in the clear, but he pulled his shot just wide of the post.

After that, Quakers were forced back, and Nathan Newall was sent on to strengthen the defence, and despite a last minute free kick that put Darlington hearts in their mouths, the home side held on for three welcome points.

Full time:

Darlington 3 Spennymoor 2

Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Sukar, Lawlor, Hedley, Moke (sub Rose 79), Purver, Liddle (sub Newall 88), Lambert, Hazel (sub Williams 83) , Felix

Subs: Mondal, Martin, Newall,

Booking: Liddle

Spennymoor:

Langley, Lufudu, Wombwell (sub Shanks 71), Curtis, Taylor, Ramshaw, Ross, Kendall, Mbeka, McKeown (sub Tait 90+1), Blackett (sub Anderson 85)

Subs: Flatters, Wheatley

Booking: Ramshaw,Curtis