MARTIN GRAY came out on top on his return to Darlington, York City overturning a half-time deficit to win 2-1.

Reece Styche had put Darlington ahead just before the break, but York scored twice at the beginning of the second half, the equaliser coming within 60 seconds of play restarting.

Again there were question marks about the team’s defending, which Gray’s side capitalised on to take three points.

The result means Darlington are now 19th, out of the relegation zone on goal difference, after what was the seventh defeat in Tommy Wright’s nine matches since replacing Gray, conceding 22 goals in that time.

Gray received a frosty reception before kick-off, and uncomplimentary chants were sung during the fixture by Quakers supporters.

There were chances at both ends throughout what was a largely even first half, with Dave Syers and Terry Galbraith both blasting over for Quakers early on.

Galbraith was one of three changes for Darlington, Greg Mills and Harvey Saunders also recalled, with Leon Scott, Phil Turnbull and Josh Gillies all on the bench.

Gary Brown twice took the took ball off Amari Morgan-Smith’s toes as the No. 10 was about to shoot, and the second time executing a fine tackle on the York player as he broke into the penalty area.

A Joe Wheatley free-kick then sailed wide, awarded after Darlington-born Jon Burn had tripped Mills.

Burn, on loan from Bristol Rovers, was injured and replaced by Dan Parslow on 20 minutes, just after both teams had the ball in the net, each strike ruled out.

Jon Parkin was flagged offside, much to the Tin Shed’s amusement who chanted “your belly’s offside” towards the veteran forward, and within minutes Styche’s ‘goal’ was ruled offside too.

Adam Bartlett was one of two former Quakers in the starting XI, David Ferguson the other, and the goalkeeper had an escape midway through the half. Closed down by Styche who blocked a clearance, a relieved Bartlett grabbed the ball as it came back down to earth before Quakers’ wily forward could pounce.

Winger Mills showed a couple of good touches, at one point taking the ball past a couple of players, cutting inside and shooting wide of Bartlett’s near post.

An awful effort by Alex Pattinson summed up York’s blunt forward play, the midfielder attempting to curl the ball into the far side of the goal from the corner of the penalty area, but seeing his effort go high and wide.

As the half came to a close Darlington stepped up their efforts, and Bartlett was stretched for the first time, going full-length to save from Styche from the edge of the box.

Then came three corners in quick succession, the second Parkin clearing from under his own bar, before Brown headed onto the roof of the net after Galbraith had returned the ball to the danger area.

There continued to be chances at both ends. Pattinson fired over after running through the middle, and at the other end Saunders made a nuisance of himself before shooting over on the turn, but on 43 minutes Styche again showed his value to Quakers.

After receiving Brown’s forward header, Styche ran at Parslow, holding the York sub before unleashing a shot high into Bartlett’s net.

It was third goal against York this season, having scored twice in a match for Tamworth earlier in the campaign, and his sixth goal for Darlington in his fifth game.

However, awful defending proved to be Darlington’s downfall within 60 seconds of the second half starting.

Thompson played needless pass to under pressure Terry Galbraith, whose pass was charged down and immediately Darlington were under pressure inside their penalty area.

A poorly-hit Wheatley clearance from the byline being stopped by York before Newton pounced to volley home with the aid of a deflection off Brown.

And within seven minutes the tables were turned, York going 2-1 up after turning defence into attack.

Aiden Connolly raced onto Morgan-Smith’s ball over the top, goalkeeper James Talbot raced off his line and tripped the York midfielder, and Parkin blasted the penalty high into the net for his 24th goal of the season, celebrating in front of the 780 visiting fans.

Quakers were quickly on the attack again, Thompson cutting inside from the right and firing in a shot that Bartlett punched away, but at the other end Parkin should have done better than to blast a half-volley over from near the penalty spot.

He hid his face, aware it had been a great chance, and then team-mate a shot by Morgan-Smith deflected narrowly wide for a corner, with York on top here and looking in control.

Quakers made only one change, Tom Portas coming on at right wingback, but he had an escape when he cheaply lost possession inside the opposition half, Newton dribbling through into the penalty area but his shot was weak, straight at Talbot.

Darlington’s only chances came at free-kicks, Wheatley and Galbraith both having a go before Thompson had a try, this time seeing a shot going wide of Bartlett’s near post.

Talbot kept it at 2-1 when saving from Pattinson who was one-on-one after a counter following a Quakers corner, before James Gray was guilty of a terrible shot in added time.

The York sub, who had a less than successful spell with Darlington in 2011-12, volleyed over when unmarked after Pattison’s right-wing cross.

It was not to matter, however, Martin Gray having the last laugh, and it was a win he clearly enjoyed as he punched the air several times as he headed back to the tunnel.

Goals: Styche (43, 1-0); Newton (46, 1-1), Parkin pen (52, 1-2)

Bookings: Talbot (52, foul); Bencherif (73, foul), Connolly (76, foul); Thompson (79, foul); Rowe (83, foul)

Referee: Adam Herczeg

Attendance: 2,405

Darlington: Talbot; Collins (Portas 70), Heaton, Brown, Galbraith; Thompson, Wheatley, Syers, Mills; Styche, Saunders. Subs (not used): Scott, Caton, Turnbull, Gillies

York City: Bartlett; Law, Burn (Parslow 20), Bencherif, Ferguson; Pattinson, Moke, Connolly (Rowe 78), Newton; Parkin, Morgan-Smith (J Gray 87). Subs (not used): Simpson, McAllister