DARLINGTON 3 SPENNYMOOR TOWN 2

A LAST-MINUTE goal from super-sub David Dowson’s goal gave Darlington a dramatic victory in their play-off semi-final last night, Quakers emerging victorious from a tumultuous tie with Spennymoor Town.

Quakers were 2-1 down with 12 minutes of a tight and tense tussle to go, Moors having turned the game on its head with two second half goals cancelling out Graeme Armstrong’s opener.

Having been the better side after the break, responding well to Darlington edging the first-half play, Jason Ainsley’s side looked set to face Bamber Bridge in Saturday’s final with Quakers heading for another semi-final loss having being beaten by Ramsbottom United a year ago.

But then two substitutes came up trumps for Darlington.

Martin Gray sent on Liam Hatch and he netted with his first touch, and with extra-time looming Dowson powered home to spark jubilant scenes at Heritage Park.

On Saturday they will play Bamber Bridge, who finished third, eight points adrift of Darlington, after Gray’s side recorded a fourth successive win against the Brewery Field club.

Darlington did the double over Ainsley’s men in the league this season, winning 2-0 and 1-0, Armstrong scoring all the goals and he netted another last night in first-half injury time.

Darlington had spurned chances by that stage, however, having been on top before the break without seriously testing keeper Gareth Young.

The keeper, signed on deadline day to replace the suspended Adam McHugh, appeared to be targeted at corners and free-kicks, but Young dealt with anything thrown at him in what was a scrappy start not helped by a strong wind.

The first chances were to Darlington. Brown crossed from the byline, Nathan Cartman dummied but Armstrong’s effort was mishit, and a Cartman shot on the turn was narrowly over from 18 yards, before the game stepped up a level.

Andrew Stephenson hit the crossbar after quick footwork in the penalty area, and then was off target with the keeper to beat from 18 yards.

But deep into injury time Brown got to the byline again and delivered a pinpoint cross for Armstrong to powerfully head home.

Young had no chance of stopping the diving header, Armstrong’s 25th goal of the season and at the beginning of the second half he went for a 26th, screwing wide from corner of penalty area after nutmegging ex-Darlington defender Joe Tait.

But thereafter Moors were on top, Quakers struggling to keep possession.

Striker Liam Henderson had a flicked header saved by Jameson, while Fisher was unfortunate with a shot on the turn that drifted narrowly over, but on the hour they got a deserved leveller.

Tait scrambled home after Spennymoor’s fourth corner of the half, awarded after Jameson fumbled the ball at the previous corner.

The keeper made a fine one-handed save from Henderson, but Quakers couldn’t clear and Tait netted at close-range.

Moors sent on Michael Roberts for Fisher, Dowson on for Cartman, but Quakers continued to struggle and soon the Spenny sub scored with an exquisite finish.

His sharp turn on the corner of the penalty area was followed by a weighted finish over Jameson with 14 minutes to go, sparking a thrilling climax.

The onus was on Darlington to respond, so Gray sent on Hatch as Quakers waited to take a corner, their first of the half, and the sub immediately headed home Terry Galbraith’s delivery.

After two goals inside three minutes, right-back Kallum Griffiths was inches away from the goal of his life. He turned Adam Mitchell and unleashed a perfectly-hit volley from 40 yards which whacked off the crossbar.

It would have been a remarkable way to win any game, but there was still time for an explosive finish and it came thanks to Dowson’s composure.

Armstrong broke down the left and rolled the ball back to the sub, who squeezed a shot under the keeper at the near post.

Cue pandemonium. Quakers players celebrated in the corner of the pitch, a supporter lit a flare and fans jumped on top of one another as they celebrated the most dramatic moment in the three years since Darlington were demoted from the Conference.

After four agonising minutes of injury time, the full-time whistle was followed by Gray racing onto the pitch in a moment reminiscent of Mark Cooper’s pitch invasion at Wembley in 2011.

He raced toward the Tin Shed, fists clenched, his emotions getting the better of him as Darlington enjoyed a win that puts them 90 minutes away from promotion.