FLU-HIT Darlington left St James’ Park frustrated and furious as their five-game unbeaten run came to an end.

Top scorer Reece Styche was ruled out the day before the game because of the virus, while several other players were under the weather in the week before, but Quakers still produced a performance that was good enough for a point.

However, they lacked a killer touch in front of goal, while they had good cause to be upset about a first half incident in which Brackley defender Gareth Dean was fortunate not to be shown a red card for hauling down Darlington striker Harvey Saunders.

“I thought there were quite a few positives from the game,” said manager Tommy Wright, who had also been ill during the week.

“I thought we played some good football at times and in the first 15 to 20 minutes in particular we were a big threat. The first goal came at the wrong time for us because we’d done well up to that point.

“At half time we spoke about the importance of scoring the next goal, but unfortunately Brackley scored two sloppy goals as far as we were concerned. We probably did ourselves in, but we matched a very good team for long periods. We created enough and there were plenty of positives from the lads who came in.

“I knew that we’d miss Stychey and Stephen Thompson (who was suspended) because they’re massive players, but there were some really good performances from some of our lads. You need strong players against Brackley’s defence, and so we had to hit them from a different angle. Brackley were delighted when they realised that Stychey wasn’t there.

“I thought Phil Turnbull was unbelievable. He had flu at the start of the week, missed training on Thursday, but he was on a different level and dominated the play.”

Brackley took the lead after 13 minutes, with a half hit shot by Lee Ndlovu from the edge of the area that seemed to take a deflection, deceived keeper Aynsley Pears and went into the bottom corner.

There was a big debate three minutes later about whether Brackley centre half Dean should have been red-carded. Joe Wheatley, who had an excellent game in midfield alongside Turnbull, caught Dean out with a ball into the box for Saunders, who looked odds on to get it until the centre half dragged him down.

Referee Alan Tankard, surrounded by players from both sides, took his time making the decision, and showed the defender a yellow card when most expected a red, including Wright.

“I can’t see how the challenge on Harvey wasn’t a red card,” he said. “I don’t like seeing players sent off, but their defender was caught on the wrong side and he tripped Harvey who was through one-on-one against their keeper.

“There was no gain for us. Their lad was yellow-carded and we missed from the free kick. I’m not one to criticise referees, but their attitudes and the way they talk to players is disgusting. There’s talk of knocking disrespect out of the game, but the officials aren’t doing themselves any favours at the moment.”

There was a clear sense of injustice among the Darlington players and management, but they had two great chances to equalise before half time. The recalled Greg Mills created space on the left and crossed right footed into the box where Dave Syers headed just over, and Terry Galbraith headed a great free kick by Gillies just wide of the far post.

Wright pushed Syers a little further forward in the second half and Saunders out wide, and Quakers looked capable still of pulling level. Mills cut in from the left but pulled his shot wide, and after a good run by Saunders, Syers had a shot blocked.

But Brackley, unbeaten at home this season, also looked dangerous. Pears made a good one-handed save to keep out Matt Lowe’s effort, but he had no chance on 72 minutes when Jimmy Armson got the byline and pulled the ball back for Shep Murombedzi to have a shot blocked, but poacher Aaron Williams was on hand to score his 25th league goal of the season for 2-0.

Four minutes later, it was 3-0 with a powerful low drive by Armson for the third.

Darlington’s 16-year-old sub Mitchell Glover came on and produced a defence-splitting pass into the Brackley box for Mills to run on to, and he was brought down by full back Ellis Myles for a penalty.

However, Lewis guessed the correct way for Galbraith’s penalty and saved low down to his right.

The result means that Quakers drop three places to 17th, still five points above the relegation zone.

Goals: Ndlovu (13 mins, 1-0), Williams (74 mins, 2-0), Armson (77 mins, 3-0)

Referee: Alan Tankard

Attendance: 675

Brackley: Lewis, Myles, Gudger, Byrne, Graham, Dean, Lowe, Armson (Diggin 88), Ndlovu (Murombedzi 64), Williams (A Brown 85), Walker. Subs (not used): Lucas, Streete

Bookings: Dean, Myles

Darlington: Pears, Trotman, Heaton, Galbraith, O’Hanlon, Turnbull, Wheatley (Glover 78), Gillies, Syers, Mills, Saunders. Subs (not used): Scott, Bancroft, G Brown, Milburn

Booking: Galbraith