Mossley 1 Darlington 2

Two early goals put Darlington on their way to a third successive league win, though they had to withstand some late pressure from Mossley.

Stephen Thompson struck first on eight minutes, hitting a low shot into the corner from 20 yards, and five minutes later Amar Purewal kept his cool to score with lob over outrushing keeper Russ Saunders.

Quakers then missed opportunities to increase their lead during a one-sided first half, with David Dowson, Jonny Davis and Thompson missing chances.

But the second half was scrappy and Darlington missed Thompson when he was substituted as a precaution due to a dead leg.

Mid-table Mossley were never out of the contest, though, and pumped a series of high balls into Quakers’ penalty area, most of which man of the match Alan White headed away.

Left-back Louis Horne set up a nervy finish when he pulled one back with a close-range header on 75 minutes after a free-kick, but Darlington hung on.

Next Saturday Quakers travel to top-of-the-table Warrington, while on Wednesday they have a League Cup tie at home to Ossett Town.

Goals: Thompson (8, 0-1), Purewal (13, 0-2); Horne (75, 1-2)

Bookings: Marley (11, foul), Gallanders (64, foul), McGrath (74, foul)

Referee: D Bradshaw

Attendance: 423

Mossley: Saunders, Marley (Haslam 24), Horne, McGrath, McGonigle, Gallanders (R Bennett 68), Keogh, J Bennett (Nightingdale 76), Carroll, Wellbeck, Warburton. Subs (not used): Anderson, Humphreys

Darlington (4-1-2-1-2): Bell; Pilatos, White, Hunter, Galraith; Robinson; Scott, Davis; Thompson (Fisher 56); Purewal, Dowson. Subs (not used): Jameson (gk), Johnson, Edwards, Moore