Our Under 23s ended their home season in great style by ending the 100 per cent record of title favourites Middlestone Moor.

Until Saturday, the Moor had won all of their 20 matches, but a late goal by Archie Small earned a deserved point for Quakers.

Manager Grant Cuthbertson said; “We were all very delighted by the result.

“These are the first points dropped in the league for Middlestone Moor who are an extremely good, disciplined and experienced team. It just goes to show how much effort our young team put in to the game to get this result and how much our lads have improved since we played Middlestone Moor back in September and lost 7-0.

“Considering that this team was put together in the summer, they have all worked very hard this season to finish in the top two of a very competitive and physical league, and to overcome many different challenges along the way.”

When the game started, both teams showed why they are both top of the league. Both teams playing football and the game was full of challenges especially in the centre of the park. Darlington started to play the better football and had most of the possession.

It became a game of chess and whoever made a mistake was going to be penalised and unfortunately against the run of play the visitors scored in the 62^nd minute. Darlington did not drop their heads and kept plugging away and eventually in the 89th minute Archie Small equalised to everyone’s delight.

Quakers have one more game left, away to Wolviston next week. Middlestone Moor are six points behind them with six games in hand.

The lads are guaranteed a top two finish, which is almost certainly good enough to earn them promotion to the Wearside League First Division. Promotion will be confirmed by the league at its AGM.

Everyone at the club would like to congratulate the management and players of the Under 23s on a great achievement.