TWO goals from Mark Beck saw Darlington draw 2-2 with Salford City, the striker scoring in each half in a thrilling contest at Heritage Park.

Quakers are due to move back to their hometown on Boxing Day, but they were denied a glorious goodbye when Beck missed an opportunity to complete his hat-trick in injury time.

The miss denied Darlington another dramatic victory against the club they were promoted alongside last season.

Darlington did the double over the Class of ’92-backed club in 2015-16, scoring late winners in each meeting, however, Beck put his chance over, but Quakers boss Martin Gray felt his team were worthy of victory.

He said: “It was a good performance. We have been below par of late so that was better from us. We’ve got something out of the game, but we should’ve won.

“They didn’t cause us any problems from open play – we conceded the two goals from set-pieces.”

Salford won a corner after only 43 seconds and that set the tone for a bright start by the visitors who took the lead on six minutes, Michael Nottingham getting the final touch on Sam Walker’s free-kick conceded by Josh Falkingham.

Quakers were rocked, but were unexpectedly back in it when Beck kept his composure to make it 1-1.

After Terry Galbraith’s long clearance was not dealt with by a Salford defender, Beck held off an opponent to slot home.

Thereafter it was an even contest, though Quakers grew frustrated with the frequency with which referee Marc Edwards awarded the visitors free-kicks.

From the tenth of the opening half, deep into added time, Salford scored a replica of their first goal, Mike Phenix scoring at close-range after a Walker delivery.

But eight minutes after the restart Darlington were level with the goal of the game.

Beck got his second by heading home powerfully after meeting Phil Turnbull’s delicious cross delivered with the outside of his boot.

Darlington shaded the remainder of the contest, winning nine second half corners, but they could not beat Salford keeper Jay Lynch, while at the other end the Gary Brown threw himself in the way of goal-bound James Poole shot.

Last season Liam Hardy scored a dramatic late winner against Salford, and he attempted to tee up Beck to do likewise today, whipping in a ball from the byline that his strike-partner could not keep under the crossbar.

Gray said: “Beck will be disappointed he didn’t get his hat-trick because out of his three chances that was his easiest, but it’s easy to say that from where we are.”

Darlington (4-4-2): Dudzinski; Marrs, Burgess, Brown, Galbraith; Thompson, Turnbull, Falkingham (Scott 46), Gillies (Syers 84), Beck, Cartman (Hardy 55). Subs not used: Bell, Hunter

Salford City (4-4-2): Lynch; Nottingham, Grand, Priestly, Brough; Poole (Atkinson 85), Burton, Walker, Hulme (Allen 78); Hine, Phenix (Warburton 78). Subs not used: Howson, Naughton