Adam Yates reports from the MTA…
Darlington extended their troubling defensive record as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat away at Marine and remain in the danger zone of relegation. Whilst the hosts shone brightest in the opening minutes, the Quakers had the best chances as Aidan Rutledge’s curling shot beat keeper Jack McIntyre but not the woodwork as it thumped the crossbar and away from harm.
Darlington then drew first blood via a Mark Beck penalty in the 30th minute. Leigh Whelan adjudged to have brought down Ellis Stanton in the box. Marine drew level back immediately. Isaac Abankwah delivered a sumptuous short forward pass into the path of Conor McAleny to score his first of the season.
Shortly after the whistle for the second half, Marine gave themselves an golden opportunity to take the lead as Ben Darby drew a foul near goal but the Mariners were not as lethal from the spot and Finlay Sinclair-Smith’s attempt was thwarted by a strong save from ex-Mariner Bobby Jones.
The introduction of Charlie Jolley from the bench took the Crosby outfit to a new gear and Jolley became their saviour. Charlie cut into the outside of the area and at first decided against an immediate shot but then finessed a long range curler which took the entire ground by surprise and it nestled into the far corner.
Marine (4-4-2): McIntyre, Abankwah, Drysdale, Wardle ©, Doyle, Whelan, McDonald (Bairstow 82), Darby, Sinclair Smith (Potter 84), McAleny (Jolley 68), Newell (Kattah 90)
Subs not used: Barrett, Butler, Hilton
Darlington (4-4-2) Jones, Hedley (Bryant 83), Lees, Beck, Stanton, Stephenson (Fitzhugh 61), Atkinson (Thompson 69), Walker, Lowes (Henson 74), Rutledge (Hetherinton 74), McLaughlin.
Subs not used: Mason, Wilkinson
Referee: Ben Robinson
Attendance: 1,141