DARLINGTON striker Graeme Armstrong remains in hospital with an abdominal injury suffered in the dying seconds of the final game of the season on Saturday.

He scored in the 2-0 play-off final win over Bamber Bridge at Heritage Park, but in stoppage time sustained an injury when colliding with goalkeeper Lee Dovey, who was sent off for his challenge.

Having driven home after the game, Armstrong spent Saturday night in hospital and was discharged the next morning after being diagnosed with severe internal bruising.

VOTE FOR DARLINGTON'S GOAL OF THE SEASON

However, on Tuesday evening Armstrong still felt unwell and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. After a series of scans he was then transferred to the Freeman Hospital where he is expected to remain a patient until at least tomorrow.

“I thought everything was okay to be honest, I just gradually got worse,” Armstrong said yesterday, who was visited last night by manager Martin Gray.

“It turns out that when the keeper’s knee went into my chest my pancreas has pushed against my spine and spliced it into two parts. I will be in here for a few days.”

Dovey and Armstrong collided head-on outside the penalty area, the pair chasing a 50-50 ball with the score 2-0 and the final whistle seconds away.

Quakers’ keeper Mark Bell sportingly ran to the halfway line to shake hands and sympathise with Dovey as he headed for the tunnel, while Armstrong was unable to complete the game.

He missed out on the celebrations that followed as Quakers clinched their second promotion in three seasons.

Armstrong, who was at Gateshead when they won promotion from the Conference North via the play-offs in 2009, added: “Maybe I should’ve seen sense and not gone in for the challenge myself. It’s just the way I am.

“I’ve experienced the euphoria of the play-offs before, but it was hard sat in the physio room hearing the cheers outside. But it’s for the rest of lads and the fans where it might be a one-off experience. I’m just delighted to be promoted.”

Dovey wished Armstrong well in his recovery and told the Echo: “There was no malice, it was a genuine 50-50 and I was just protecting myself.”

Armstrong joined the club a year ago from Whitby Town and played an integral part in the team’s promotion, scoring some vital goals among his total of 26 for the season.

Four of his goals came in three wins over Spennymoor Town three times – twice in the league and once in the play-offs - while he also netted in wins over Bamber Bridge and Northwich Victoria.

Gray is expected to announce today which of his players are to be released. The manager, who has already begun planning for next season, informed them of his decision yesterday.

Meanwhile, Darren Williams, manager of Armstrong’s former club Whitby, is already looking forward to Quakers’ visit to the Turnbull Ground.

Darlington have been regular pre-season visitors to Whitby – they have played there in each of the last four summers – and in 2015-16 will head to the North Yorkshire coast for a an Evo-Stik Premier Division Fixture.

“It counteracts the fact that FC United of Manchester are up and Darlington will bring just as many,” said Williams, speaking to the Whitby Gazette.

“It will be nice to get them on a Bank Holiday or a Saturday. You’ve got Blyth still there too and there are some big games, especially from a crowd point of view and financially, it could be masssive for us.

“I think it will be an interesting league.”

* Tickets are on sale for a comedy night in aid of the Back to Darlo initiative.

Taking place at Blackwell Meadows on Saturday, May 14, starring with be Tony Jameson with his Football Manager Ruined My Life show as well as Andy Fury

Doors open at 7pm, the show starts at 8pm with tickets costing £10 and available from hilaritybites.co.uk and Mark Adams on 07990-852000.