Marine 3-2 Darlington 1883

Marine progressed through FA Trophy Qualifying for the first time since the competition was restructured in 2005/06, as Danny Mitchley's penalty five minutes into added time saw them edge past Darlington 1883 in a thriller at the Marine Travel Arena. With Andy Nicholas cup-tied and Kurt Sherlock suspended manager Sean Hessey restored Josh Brizell and Obi Anoruo to his starting eleven.

Despite a delayed kick-off due to the away side's late arrival, the Mariners began in confident fashion following Saturday's convincing win over Halesowen Town and created an excellent opportunity to take the lead after just 8 minutes. Lewis Field's clipped ball down the right found Obi Anoruo in space and the striker's low ball across the box fell invitingly for the onrushing MJ Monaghan, however the young midfielder's finish lacked the power or direction to beat the Quakers' on-loan custodian Dudzinski.

The Conference North outfit spurned a good chance of their own just a minute later as a corner from their right was headed down towards Hardy, but the ex-Buxton man rather scuffed his finish allowing Calvin Hare to gather the low shot.

The end-to-end action continued as Warren Bellew released Danny Mitchley who, with no support at hand tried to beat Dudzinski from a difficult angle, but the 'keeper fielded Mitchley's low effort securely.

The 13th minute proved unlucky for the Crosby side as visiting left-back Galbraith advanced to the left-hand byline before cutting the ball back for the onrushing Hardy, the striker this time earning his laurels as he sidefooted home from eight yards.

Bellew then tried his luck with a well-struck effort from distance which skipped off the greasy MTA surface and Dudzinski was at full-stretch to push the ball to safety.

Darlington almost extended their advantage as James Foley had his pocket picked by the busy Quakers' midfield, the ball being slipped through to Scott whose first-time finish brought a smart parry from Hare.

Foley then sprayed an excellent crossfield pass to Bellew who cut inside and hit a right-footed daisy-cutter from 25 yards which was creeping in at the far post but Dudzinski once again fielded securely.

The Whites then spurned another excellent scoring chance on the half-hour mark as the Darlington defence dallied and Anoruo stole in, but with Dudzinski to beat placed his shot a yard wide of target.

The Quakers punished the Mariners profligacy on 35 minutes as a mistake at the other end cost the Whites dearly. Adam Hughes attempted to let a hopeful ball forward from deep run through to his goalkeeper, but Cartman was alert to the opportunity and volleyed the bouncing ball past the exposed Hare to leave the Mariners facing an uphill struggle.

Marine required an immediate response and managed just that as a Bellew free-kick whipped in to the near post from the right resulted in a scramble. Although an initial effort was blocked on the line, Obi used the force to fire the loose ball into the roof of the Crosender Road net to halve his side's arrears.

The Mariners finished the half strongly and an inswinging Bellew corner caused more mayhem in the Darlington defence, a white shirt forcing the ball home but referee Mather gave Dudzinksi some respite by awarding a free-kick for a foul on the Hartlepool loanee during the melee, as the visitors led at the interval.

In contrast to an entertaining first half of football much of the second was punctuated by the referee's whistle, leading to a scrappy affair as the Mariners sought an equalising goal whilst the Quakers looked to put the tie out of the home side's reach.

On 62 minutes the Crosby men came close as a free-kick clipped in to the Darlington box saw Billy Smart perform his high-wire act, but the midfielder's glancing header fell a foot the wrong side of the post from the home side's perspective.

Darlington boss Martin Gray opted to replace his two goalscorers, as the Mariners continued to hold the edge in terms of possession but found themselves frustrated by the visiting rearguard, with their increasingly agricultural skipper Brown to the fore.

However Brown and his team mates were powerless to prevent parity being restored on 81 minutes with a peach of a strike from Mitchley. Following more scrappy play in midfield the ex-Blackpool hotshot collected a loose ball 25 yards out and fired a sumptuous curling effort past the despairing full-length dive of Dudzinski and in to the proverbial “postage stamp” of the College Road net.

The Mariners now had the wind well and truly in their sails and were finishing the game strongly as Darlington looked to reach extra-time. James Short did well to keep the ball in on the left touchline and find Mitchley who again showed his quality with a great piece of skill to skip past two challenges, this time firing a low shot from the edge of the 'd' which Dudzinski held securely low to his right.

Stoppage time arrived and in the third added minute a Marine free-kick was half-cleared as far as Bellew whose volley was heading wide, Hughes' instinctive attempt to redirect the ball on-target proved unsuccessful as the ball flew comfortably wide of goal.

In the fifth additional minute and with the MTA faithful imploring one final effort from the men in white, a ball forward saw Mitchley's cushioned header find Foley bursting into the box only to be met by a heavy and mistimed challenge from a Darlington defender, with referee Mather having no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Mitchley, who had missed the first game between the two sides in the North-East through suspension, stepped up to coolly slot home the most valuable goal scored at the MTA for many a year and spark wild scenes of jubilation.

An additional minute was played but the Mariners saw out time in untroubled fashion to complete a remarkable comeback and record a memorable victory against higher-level opposition.

Marine now travel to face another former Football League side, Stockport County, with the FA Trophy First Round tie taking place on Saturday at Edgeley Park. Kick off is at 3pm.

Marine: Calvin Hare, Lewis Field, James Short, Josh Brizell, James Foley, Adam Hughes, Michael Monaghan, Billy Smart, Danny Mitchley (c), Obi Anoruo (Jamie Horgan 80), Warren Bellew.

Unused subs: Sean Myler, Sean Hessey, Thomas Moore, Dean Porter. Cautions: Monaghan, Mitchley.

Darlington 1883: Ben Dudzinski, Liam Marrs, Terrence Galbraith, Joshua Falkingham (Mark Beck 62), Christopher Hunter, Gary Brown (c), David Syers, Leon Scott, Liam Hardy (Stephen Thompson 62), Nathan Cartman (Philip Turnbull 76), Josh Gillies.

Unused subs: Mark Bell, Dale Milburn. Cautions: Marrs, Falkingham, Hunter.

Goals: Marine; Anoruo (38), Mitchley (81, 90)
Darlington 1883; Hardy (13), Cartman (35)

Referee: Mr Simon Mather
Assistants: Mr Daniel Moroney and Mr Michael Johnson

Attendance: 308