Kidderminster 1 Darlington 0

Martin 52 mins, 1-0

Attendance 2,436 (130 from Darlington)

Don't forget to contribute to next season's budget:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/contribute-to-boost-the-budget

And in case you missed it, the story of new signing Jacob Hazel

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/quakers-sign-jacob-hazel-from-whitby

Here are Alun's thoughts on the game:

Quakers ended their season with a defeat at Kidderminster, who scored the winner in the second half.

The game had an end of season feel about it. There weren't many chances in the game at all, with Kidderminster clearly keeping one eye on their play off game next week.

Quakers didn't make much of an impact until the second half, with Nathan Lowe going close twice with free kicks. They finished the game with ten men after using all three subs and Jake Lawlor had gone off injured.

On an impeccable pitch, Kiddie had an early free kick which was hoisted into the Darlington penalty area, but keeper Tommy Taylor came confidently off his line to hold on.

Quakers then patiently put together a good move on the right which ended with a cross by Kevin Dos Santos being held by keeper Luke Simpson.

Kidderminster nearly scored on 7 minutes. Ashley Hemmings hoisted a corner over to the far post where Keziah Martin headed wide.

Quakers then lost the ball in midfield, which allowed Hemmings to run towards the area, but his effort went well over the top.

Kiddie nearly scored on 18 minutes. The ball came over from the left to the far post, where Hemmings had time to control the ball and hit a right foot shot that Smith and Taylor got away between them, then Martin put the follow up wide.

The game was fairly even after that with neither side creating chances.

Quakers had their first effort at goal on 34 minutes when Cameron Thompson set up Jack Lambert 25 yards out, but Lambert dragged his shot wide.

Thompson then sent Dos Santos away down the right, and the wide man fired across the face of goal.

Half time 0-0

Kiddie had the first corner of the second half, but Quakers got the ball away.

Kallum Griffiths was pulled up for a foul at the other end when he chased a Danny Rose cross into the box.

Kidderminster took the lead on 52 minutes. Freemantle got away down the left, put the ball into the middle where Taylor charged down two shots before Martin drove the ball home, with the help of a rebound off Taylor and the post.

Good play by sub Sterling on the left saw him set up Carrington, whose effort was easily held by Taylor.
A good move by Quakers down the left saw Thompson win a corner on 63 minutes, but it was wasted.

They nearly levelled on 68 minutes. Lowe was fouled over 40 yards out, and took the free kick himself. He hit the ball towards goal, the ball going just over the bar with the keeper struggling.

Lowe set up sub Jarrett Rivers, who had a shot blocked, and then Lowe had a 25 yarder saved by Simpson.

Having used all their subs, Quakers went down to ten men on 80 minutes after Jake Lawlor went off with what appeared to be a back injury, so Alex Purver went into defence.

Lowe nearly equalised from another free kick on 82 minutes. There was a handball by Penny 30 yards out, and Lowe hit the free kick over the wall and clipped the top of the crossbar.

The result means that Quakers finish 13rd in the table.

Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Lawlor, Smith (sub Hedley 55 mins); Lowe, Rose, Dos Santos (sub Rivers 55), Lambert, Thompson, O’Neill (sub Purver 66)

Subs:  Mondal, Martin,

Booking: Wheater, Dos Santos, Lowe

Simpson, Penny, Richards, Cameron (sub Lowe 64), Austin (sub Sterling 46), Carrington (sub Montrose 73), Hemmings, Foulkes, Martin, Bajrami, Freemantle

Subs: White, Redmond

Booking: Penny