Scarborough 0 Darlington 1

Lees 31 mins, 0-1

Attendance 1528

A first half goal by Toby Lees, on his return from illness and a day after his birthday, deservedly gave Quakers the points at Queensgate.

Quakers created far more chances than the Seadogs in the game and perhaps should have made the game safer long before they did.

But nevertheless, their sixth away win of the season kept them firmly in the play off positions. They're now back up to sixth, and looking forward to the visit of league leaders South Shields on Tuesday evening.

Here are Steve's thoughts on the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXrMDkBG6cw

and the winner from Toby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG1LTnZpKP4

Quakers tried a quick break on a bobbly pitch when Aidan Rutledge tried to find Cedric Main in the box, but the Scarborough keeper came off his line and saved.

Scarborough replied with a break down the right through Rio Allan, who cut inside and fired across the face of goal.

Rutledge then tried his luck from 30 yards, but Ryan Whitley held on, and then Max Howells found Cedric Main with a good ball inside, and Main’s shot on the turn was well held by Whitley at the top left corner.

Scarborough created a chance on 10 minutes when Harry Green won possession and hit a low left foot shot that Jameson pushed around the post.

Quakers nearly scored on 13 minutes. Will McGowan found Cedric Main with a good through ball, but the striker’s shot was well blocked by Whitley.

Main had another chance when Rutledge sent him away, but he was forced to check and his ball inside for Howells was intercepted.

Main nearly scored on 18 minutes. Howells put a good cross in from the right for him to put in a header which beat Whitley but came back off the post.

Another chance came on 21 minutes when Elliot Forbes found Charlie Lennon inside the Scarborough half, and Lennon ran forward and hit a low shot that Whitley saved low down

They were unlucky again on 25 minutes when Lennon raced down the left and crossed for Rutledge to head just wide of the right hand post.

Quakers were denied by Whitley on 31 minutes. They won a free kick for a foul on Howells 30 yards out, and Barrow forced into a full length save for a corner.

But Quakers took a deserved lead from the corner, which was whipped in by McGowan from the right for Lees, on his return from illness to head home his third goal of the season

Quakers pressed for a second, and McGowan set up Rutledge in the area, but his right foot shot was deflected into Whitley’s hands,  then Rutledge had another effort blocked after he’d beaten two men in the area.

Quakers had been well on top in the first half and deserved to be in front.

Half time 0-1

Quakers started the second half with a cross from the left by Lennon that Whitley held under his crossbar.

The chances started to come again, when McLaughlin found Main just on the edge of the area, and he hit a right foot shot that went just over the bar.

However, Scarborough nearly scored when Allen beat two defenders and fired in a right foot shot shot that Jameson tipped over the bar.

Scarborough were showing more spirit , but Quakers nearly caught them on the counter when Main found Howells on the right, and the winger’s cross landed on the roof of the net, then Lennon made a great run up the left, but Whitley cut out his cross.

Main thought he’d scored another from a McGowan pass, but he was flagged offside.

Howells then did well to break up a Scarborough attack, and after a spell of pressure, popped up at the other end to have a shot deflected wide.

McLaughlin then nearly added a second when he won the ball on the halfway line, raced forward, and had a shot blocked.

With Scarborough coming more into the game Quakers made a sub on 78 minutes, Tom Allan coming on for Rutledge.

Again they had another chance when McLaughlin sent Lennon away, but he fired across the face of goal

Final: Scarborough 0 Darlington 1

Jameson: Forbes, Lees, Barrow, Platt, McLaughlin, Howells, McGowan, Lennon, Rutledge (Allan 78), Main

Subs: Hedley, Griffiths, Barton, Stanton, Allan, Cornish, Mason