Darlington 3, Grimsby Town 2

Mar 17 2008 by Ray Simpson, The Journal

DARLINGTON extended their blistering run of form although they remain outside League Two’s automatic promotion places.

They have won 21 games and raced to 72 points, a tally that in many seasons would be enough to top the table after 37 games.

Yet with nine to play, the Quakers sit in fourth place, a point behind Hereford who occupy the final promotion slot.

“All we can do is win our games,” said manager Dave Penney after seeing his team battle back from two down to score three times in the last hour.

“The promotion race might go right to the wire, and we have to be ready to deal with that. We want automatic promotion but if need be, we will be ready for the play-offs.”

With several of the top teams still to face each other something has to give, and if striker Pawel Abbott continues his current form, Darlington could be celebrating come May.

After Martin Butler had stunned Darlington with two quick-fire goals around the half-hour mark, Abbott burst into life.

He pulled one back on 33 minutes with a precise chip into the far corner, then equalised with two minutes of the first half remaining, converting from close range after a deflected shot from midfielder Jason Kennedy looped into his path.

Darlington rode their luck at times in the second half, especially when Paul Bolland hit the post.

But Quakers did most of the attacking and top scorer Tommy Wright hit his 14th of the season on 64 minutes to seal all three points.

Wright turned smartly to score from the edge of the penalty area after Grimsby failed to deal with Rob Purdie’s cross.

Grimsby pushed hard for an equaliser but Darlington keeper David Stockdale was on form to make crucial saves, including one from Peter Till’s powerful low drive.

Darlington now have to prepare for the tough Easter programme which so often proves decisive.

DARLINGTON: Stockdale, Austin, Foster, Miller, Cummins (Valentine 80), Purdie, Parker, Joachim, Abbott (Blundell 84), Wright (Ndumbu-Nsungu 84), Kennedy. Subs (not used): Liversidge, Hodge.

Booked: Wright, Austin.

Goals: Abbott 33, 44, Wright 64.

GRIMSBY: Barnes, Clarke, Newey, Hunt, Atkinson (Toner 80), Fenton, Till, Bolland, Boshell (Bore 67), Butler, Bennett (Whittle 46). Subs (not used): Montgomery, Taylor.

Booked: Clarke, Bolland.

Goals: Butler 29, 30.

Attendance: 3,499

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).