DARLINGTON reached Saturday’s play-off final with a thrilling 3-2 win over Spennymoor Town last night.
Graeme Armstrong gave Quakers the lead, before four goals in a pulsating second half which Darlington ended with David Dowson scoring the winning goal in the last minute.
Joe Tait, a former Darlington defender, equalised on the hour and then a smart finish by Michael Roberts, who had come off the bench, puts Moors into the lead.
Having been the better team after the break, Roberts’ goal meant Spennymoor looked on course for victory, but soon Liam Hatch, also a sub, levelled with a header – his first touch after coming off the bench seconds earlier.
And as extra-time loomed Armstrong found space in the box to tee up Dowson to score a dramatic winner.
Quakers are at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday.
Goals: Armstrong (45, 1-0); Tait (60, 1-1), Roberts (76, 1-2); Hatch (78, 2-2), Dowson (88, 3-2)
Bookings: Scott (26, foul); Tait (26, dissent), Roberts (86, foul)
Referee: Craig Dean (Chester-le-Street)
Attendance: 1,987
Entertainment: *****
Darlington: Jameson; Brown, White, Hunter, Galbraith; A Mitchell, Scott, Portas, Thompson (Hatch 77); Armstrong, Cartman (Dowson 70). Subs (not used): Bell, Watson, Mota
Spennymoor Town: Young; Griffiths, Tait, Johnson, Mason; Dodds, Stephenson (Capper 90), Henry; Fisher (Roberts 65), Henderson, Cogdon (Ward 80). Subs (not used): Briggs, Groves
Man of the match
GRAEME Armstrong – Wonderful header and he teed up the third goal
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