Darlington suffered a shock 4-2 defeat at Kendal Town, their heaviest defeat of the season, in which Jordan Connerton grabbed a hat-trick.

The striker’s treble all came within the first 15 minutes as Jordan Connerton Quakers’ uncharacteristically crumbled.

Defenders Ian Watson and Alan White pulled goals back in the second half, but Kendal then made it 4-2 with Byron Andrews scoring a cracking effort to confirm Darlington’s fifth defeat of the season.

It leaves them second, three points behind Salford City with three games in hand.

They are at Farsley on Tuesday evening.

Goals: Connerton (2, 1-0), Connerton (9, 2-0), Connerton (15, 3-0) Watson (67, 3-1), White (85, 3-2); Andrews (86, 4-2)

Bookings: Thomas (41, foul)

Referee: Paul Kettlewell

Attendance: 584

Kendal Town (4-5-1): Cameron; Henry, Mercer, Forbes, Thomas; Mason (Clark 74), Helliwell, Watson, Carney; Andrews; Connerton. Subs (not used): Kelleher, Fishwick, Johnstone

Darlington (4-4-2): Jameson; Cartwright (Hatch 49), White, Brown (Hunter 16), Watson; Thompson, Portas, Galbraith, Mota; Cartman, Armstrong (Dowson 57). Subs (not used): Bell (gk), Scott