Darlington 2 Spennymoor 1

Campbell 24 mins, 1-0, Taylor 29 mins, 1-1, Thompson 72 mins, pen 2-1

Attendance 2,204

Darlington striker Stephen Thompson finally equalled Allan Walsh's 35 year record when he scored Quakers' winner against Spennymoor.

Thommo grabbed the ball after Sean Reid was pulled down in the area, and smacked the ball past Moors keeper Mattie Gould for his 100th goal for the club going back seven years.

There's a picture tribute to Thommo here:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/thommos-100-in-pictures

and here's a post match interview with him

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-thommo-on-emotional-darlo-centure

It was perhaps appropriate that Thommo, who was signed from Durham in September 2012,  scored his landmark goal against Spennymoor, because it's been against them when he's had his most memorable matches -- especially the win against Moors in the Northern League in season 2012-13.

And it was all in front of the Tin Shed, who gave him a huge ovation as he celebrated in front of them.

The victory was Quakers' second over the holiday period, and ended Moors' 13 game unbeaten run in the league. We're now ninth in the table, four points behind the play offs.

Quakers had more possession in the opening stages, but were kept out by some good Spennymoor defending, while a low left wing cross by Michael Liddle hit the base of the post.

Moors had the first real attempt on goal when Taylor turned 25 yards out and struck a low left foot shot that Elliott comfortably saved .

Quakers replied with a cross by Liddle that Thompson got a glancing header to, but the ball went wide.

Thompson then found Reid inside the area and from a tight angle his low cross beat Gould, but a covering defender cleared.

Taylor showed how dangerous he is, when he chested down a ball through and struck a left foot shot that Elliott turned round the post at full stretch.

Quakers then forced two corners in a minute on the right without any joy.

However, they took the lead on 24 minutes with a excellent individual goal. Campbell picked the ball up on the right, dribbled past two defenders and beat Gould with a low left foot shot, his ninth of the season.

But Moors equalised on 29 minutes. Ben McKenna beat two Darlington defenders on the left, got to the bye line and crossed for Glen Taylor to head past Elliott, the ball going in off the post.

Stephen Thompson had a shot on the turn deflected over for a corner, that Rivers headed wide.

On 41 minutes, Hedley crossed from the right into the area where Thompson rose high about 12 yard out, but headed straight at Gould.

Just before half time, Brogan curled a 25 yard free kick just wide of the right hand post.

Half time:

Darlington 1 Spennymoor Town 1

After a cagey start to the second half, Buddle nodded down a deep free kick for Henry turn wide of the post, and at the other end, Thompson tried an ambitious 40 yarder but Gould saw his intentions, backpedalled, and held on to the ball.

Curtis had a header blocked by Reid from a left wing corner.

Sub Donawa won a free kick for a foul 30 yards out, that Liddle curled into the box, and Storey headed into Gould’s hands, when a yard either side of the keeper would have been a goal.

Quakers won a penalty on 72 minutes. Reid was dragged down to the ground as he went for a left wing cross, and the referee pointed to the spot.

There were huge protests from Moors as Thompson grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot, and blasted it into the roof of the net to equal the club record! There followed a huge ovation from the Tin Shed, while Thommo celebrated in front of them!

Quakers defended well after that, slowing the game down when necessary, although Moors had two chances.

Spennymoor nearly levelled with a header by Magnay from a corner that went wide, and right at the end, Curtis headed wide from a corner.

This will always be remembered as the day that Thommo equalled the club record.

Here's what manager Alun Armstrong had to say after the game

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-alun-delighted-for-thommo

Final:

Darlington 2 Spennymoor 1

Elliott, Hedley, Liddle, Wheatley, Laing, Storey, Rivers (sub Donawa 66), Hatfield, Campbell (Sub Lambert 81), Reid, Thompson (sub Watson 90)

Subs: Holness,  Bascome

Booking: Campbell

Spennymoor:

Gould, Magnay, Brogan (sub Boyes 90), Chandler, Buddle, Curtis, Hall (sub Roberts 66), Henry (sub Anderson 81), Taylor, Ramshaw, McKenna

Subs: Mason, Earing

Booking: McKenna