Darlington 5 Droylsden 2

DARLINGTON are involved in a straight shootout now with Salford City for the automatic promotion place after they contemptuously brushed Droylsden aside by 5-2 on Saturday.

Quakers are so focussed on the automatic place that it almost escaped attention that they clinched a play-off slot with this victory, but if they can reproduce their powerful first half form over the next five matches, then they needn’t worry about the play-offs.

“We know what we have to do - win all five of our remaining games to beat Salford for the title, and we’re quite capable of doing it with performances like that,” said manager Martin Gray. “We must prepare properly and as professionally as possible for games, and that’s why I wouldn’t allow the players to drink alcohol after Saturday’s game.”

Quakers’ first half performance was high in both tempo and quality, and Droyslden struggled to cope.

“It was a really strong first 45 minutes. I watched Droylsden play last Saturday, and we formed a gameplan which we carried out very well by pressing up on their back five and forcing them into mistakes. It shows the importance of watching opposing teams in advance,’’ said Gray.

“I was disappointed though that we conceded a couple of goals. We must adopt a clean sheet mentality over the last five games. The goals we gave away were stupid.

“I was delighted for Nathan Cartman that he scored a couple of goals. He’s got great ability and people sometimes don’t understand what his all round game is all about. There were some very good individual performances all around the team.”

Quakers missed a great chance after just 90 seconds, when a clearance by Droylsden keeper Craig Ellison rebounded off Graeme Armstrong square into the path of Cartman who took careful aim 25 yards out, but he sidefooted wide of an open goal.

Droylsden stunned Quakers by taking the lead after six minutes. A ball forward bounced off Gary Brown and into the path of Ciaran Kilheeney, who ran forward and hit a 25-yarder that hit the inside of the left hand post and into the net.

Quakers soon levelled. Adam Mitchell floated a free kick from the left into the box, and Alan White, on his return, glanced the ball past the keeper into the net – Quakers 100th goal in all competitions this season.

After Armstrong wasted a good opportunity, Quakers were back again inside the Droylsden box on 20 minutes. Terry Galbraith picked up the ball on the left, played it inside to Stephen Thompson, who laid off perfectly for Adam Mitchell to hit first time into the net from 20 yards with the help of a slight deflection.

Quakers went 3-1 up on 29 minutes. This time Mitchell got away down the left and played the ball into the near post, where poacher Cartman nipped in and turned the ball past Ellison.

It was 4-1 three minutes later. Mitchell won possession just outside the box on the left, ran forward, and set up Armstrong to score his 21st league goal of the season.

The drama continued relentlessly. Quakers were furious on 37 minutes when Mitchell weaved his way into the box and was scythed down by the last defender Nat Kerr, but referee Tony Peart, after looking at his assistant, booked Mitchell for simulation.

Droylsden were reduced to ten men a minute before half time, when Armstrong was pulled back by Peter Dogan on the edge of the area – although the foul appeared to be inside – and the Droylsden defender was shown his second yellow.

Quakers didn’t have long to wait for the fifth after the restart. Substitute Ian Watson won possession in midfield, ran forward and fired towards goal, but the ball was partly blocked by a defender and it ran for Cartman to tuck under the keeper for his second of the game.

Droylsden pulled a goal back on 52 minutes. Rob Doran got away down the right and forced Jameson into a good save, but the ball ran for Fernando Moke to slot in.

Quakers could have had further goals. Cartman was denied twice from close range, Thompson hit the post and Ellison made a good one handed save from Galbraith.

David Dowson, who was rested on Saturday as a precaution, returns to the squad today for the trip to Scarborough. Salford, three points ahead of Quakers, are at Radcliffe Borough.

Goals: Kilheeney (7, 0-1) White (10, 1-1). Mitchell (20, 2-1), Cartman (29, 3-1), Armstrong (32, 4-1), Cartman (47, 5-1), Moke (53, 5-2)

Bookings: Dogan (12, foul), Mitchell (39, simulation), Kerr (60, dissent)

Sending-off: Dogan (44 mins, foul, second booking)

Referee: Tony Peart.

Attendance 1,236.

Darlington: Jameson, Brown, Galbraith, White, Hunter (Mota 49), Portas, Thompson, Scott (Watson 45), Armstrong (Hatch 65), Cartman, Mitchell. Subs (not used): Weldon, Bell

Droylsden: Ellison, Brown, Ting, Shinks (Hall 41), Kerr (Murphy 66), Dogan, Monaghan, Myler, Kilheeney, Hillhouse (Doran 49), Moke. Subs (not used): McNamara, Sumner.