Darlington 3 Padiham 0

Two goals from Amar Purewal sealed Darlington's play-off place with a comfortable 3-0 win over Padiham.

It was one-way traffic for the most part with the game being played almost entirely in Padiham’s half, though Darlington led only 1-0 at the break thanks to a goal by Stephen Thompson.

His 24th league goal of the season came in the 27th minute after dribbling into the centre of the penalty area and firing into the far corner.

It was 2-0 when Purewal’s 11-game goal drought ended soon after the restart, the striker powerfully heading home after a Terry Galbraith corner and he added the final goal in injury time by firing home from the edge of the penalty area.

Because both Ramsbottom and Farsley cannot finsh above Quakers, Martin Gray's side are assured of a spot in the top five. The goal now is to finish second to ensure home advantage in the play-offs.

Their next game is at Heritage Park next Saturday against Farsley.

Goals: Thompson (27, 1-0), Purewal (53, 2-0)

Bookings: Fildes (70, foul), Parkes (80, foul)

Referee: Marc Edwards (Gateshead)

Attendance: 1,012

Darlington (3-4-1-2): Bell; Tait, Hunter, Galbraith; Walker, Davis (A Mitchell 66), Brown, Scott; Thompson (Fisher 60); Purewal, Ward (Dowson 54). Subs (not used): Jameson (gk), White

Padiham: Davis, Carter, Clayton (Cookson 34), Murphy, Parkes, Craig, Boyle, Sharples, Ashcroft, Fildes, Jordan. Subs (not used): Burgess, Bradley, Turner, Morris