Full-time: Darlington 0 Ramsbottom 2

Darlington will remain in the First Division of the Evo-Stik League after they lost their play-off semi-final with Ramsbottom on a hugely controversial night at Heritage Park.

First-half goals from Billy Priestley and Jordan Hulme secured Ramsbottom a place in Saturday's play-off final against Bamber Bridge.

However, the final scoreline told only half the story as Darlington finished with nine men and also had manager Martin Gray sent to the stands.

Referee Kevin Mulraine infuriated Darlington's players when he failed to send off Ramsbottom full-back Owen Roberts for an awful first-minute challenge that led to Leon Scott leaving the field on a stretcher.

Stephen Thompson was sent off at the start of the second half after he picked up a second booking for diving, and Jordan Robinson was also dismissed in the final minute after he also received a second yellow card for a foul.

Ramsbottom opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Priestley headed home Grant Spencer's corner, and doubled their lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Hulme dribbled in from the left flank and slotted home.

More follows soon....