Darlington 1883 0-1 Marine

The Mariners returned from their second trip to the North-East in five days with another win, this time overcoming third-placed Darlington 1883 with the only goal of the game at their Bishop Auckland home. Jonathon Ritchie deputised in goal for Matt Cooper, the latter serving a one-match ban following his recent dismissal against Ilkeston in an otherwise unchanged Marine side.

In front of a healthy 1100+ crowd at Heritage Park the home side began brightly with Ritchie failing to collect a high ball played in from the Darlington left, Youhill hitting the side-netting from the right side of the box. This was the Marine 'keeper's only moment of doubt in a solid performance between the sticks, Ritchie not having to make a single save as the home side failed to register a shot on target in ninety minutes.

With just four minutes on the clock Quakers midfielder Tom Portas limped out of the action to be replaced by Leon Scott, the Mariners receiving a boost as Portas is generally considered one of the better midfield performers in the EvoStik Premier Division. Three minutes later a Darlington corner from their left saw skipper Burgess head back into the danger area, the Yellows' defence managing to scramble clear as the danger was averted.

The lively Cartman was next to threaten for the home side as he turned sharply before firing a yard over Ritchie's bar from 25 yards out. That was as close as the home side were to come however as the Mariners settled in to their work and gradually began to earn their fair share of possession.

A period of somewhat scrappy play followed as both teams sought to create a decent scoring opportunity, but defences remained on top for the majority of the game. One moment of quality saw the pacy and skilful Youhill beat James Short on the right touchline before crossing onto the head of Cartman who got his finish all wrong and directed his header away from goal.

The Yellows then countered and Jamie Menagh's clever crossfield ball found Lewis Codling on the right of the Darlington box, Codling managing to shift the ball outside the full-back before hitting a rising right-footed shot which home custodian Jameson held comfortably. Just after the half-hour Galbraith sent in a free-kick from the left which Cartman again headed off-target.

One minute before the break the Mariners produced their best spell of attacking pressure on the home goal as Menagh clipped a free kick to the far post which Andy Nicholas directed back across goal. The home side cleared as far as Codling whose right-footed effort appeared to strike Scott's arm, but referee Finnie waved away the Crosby side's claims for handball. Nicholas then stretched to cut the ball back from the byline but Jameson did well to block behind, and the subsequent corner came to nought for the Yellows.

Whilst the home side had edged the first half in terms of possession and chances the second period saw roles reversed with the Mariners enjoying the bulk of play whilst their defence, and in particular the ever-impressive pairing of Liam Willis and skipper Nicholas, dealt with the increasingly direct Darlington attacks. An early midfield tussle saw Codling and Thompson enter the referee's notebook, with home centre-back White incredibly escaping punishment despite appearing to wrestle Codling to the ground in the same incident.

Quakers boss Martin Gray utilised his options from the bench, the ex-Sunderland man withdrawing the dangerous Youhill as the home support became increasingly frustrated with proceedings. However it remained the Mariners who looked more likely to break the deadlock as midway through the half Menagh fired high and wide from the corner of the area.

With 20 minutes remaining Menagh then came even closer as his wing-wizardry saw him step inside a couple of Darlington challenges before seeing his fierce right-footed shot dip narrowly over Jameson's crossbar and onto the roof of the net. At the other end a knock-down to Scott saw the Quakers midfielder fire well wide, before Carl Peers looked to continue his heroics from midweek but could only match Scott's effort.

The crucial breakthrough arrived on 76 minutes as the ever willing Codling looked to collect a Lloyd Ellams pass in the home area, White's clumsy shove seeing the ex-Bala man downed with referee Finney pointing to the spot and cautioning White for the burly defender's umpteenth infringement. The reliable Ellams stepped up to the mark and coolly sent Jameson the wrong way, sparking joyous celebrations amongst the vociferous travelling support.

With the wind well and truly in their sails the Yellows never looked likely to relinquish their advantage in the latter stages, and almost added a second goal in added time as Mitch Duggan played a one-two on the edge of the Darlington area, the young Tranmere loanee sending his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Full-time arrived as the Mariners held on to a deserved victory, but the drama had not quite finished there. With a number of Darlington players congregating in the centre circle White was shown the red card by referee Finnie following an incident involving one of his Assistants.

The Mariners return to the Marine Travel Arena on Tuesday evening to face Skelmersdale United in the Liverpool Senior Cup.

Marine: Jonathon Ritchie, Mitch Duggan, James Short, Liam Willis, Carl Peers, Andy Nicholas (c), Lloyd Ellams (Chad Whyte 81), James Foley, Andy Owens, Jamie Menagh, Lewis Codling.

Unused subs: Stephen Wainwright, Sean Hessey, Tom Owens, Ollie Sharman. Cautions: A Owens, Short, Codling, Ritchie.

Darlington: Peter Jameson, Chris Hunter, Terry Galbraith, Tom Portas (Leon Scott 5), Kevin Burgess (c), Alan White, Rob Youhill (Adam Mitchell 56), Phil Turnbull, Lee Gaskell, Nathan Cartman, Stephen Thompson (Graeme Armstrong 65).

Unused subs: Ian Watson, Jim Provett. Cautions: Thompson, Mitchell, White. Sent off: White.

Goals: Marine; Ellams (pen 76).

Referee: Mr Will Finnie
Assistants: Mr Asa McDonough and Mr James Milne.

Attendance: 1171