Ramsbottom United 0 Darlington 3

DARLINGTON returned to the top of the table after cantering to a simple 3-0 win at Ramsbottom United.

Less than three weeks after defeating Ramsbottom 2-1 at Heritage Park, Darlington took three points which sees them leapfrog Nantwich at the top.

Graeme Armstrong, Rob Youhill and Nathan Cartman got the goals against the division’s bottom side, who at the end of the 2013-14 season defeated them in the play-offs.

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But their team is much-changed since then, and today they rarely caused Quakers problems as Martin Gray’s side recorded a first clean sheet in five games.

With Alan White again in the centre of defence and Chris Hunter at right-back, Darlington’s defence was assured and in control throughout while the forwards took their chances when they came along.

They made a bright start, scoring after 13 minutes.

After Cartman had hit the post following an Armstrong flick-on, though Quakers were offside anyway, they went ahead thanks to a defensive calamity. After receiving a backpass, Ramsbottom keeper Grant Shenton attempted to round Armstrong but was dispossessed by the Darlington forward who took advantage to score his fourth of the season.

The goal saw Ramsbottom pay the price for their insistence on attempting to play the ball out from the back, as they did throughout, while it also saw Armstrong’s persistence rewarded.

A save by Shenton kept it at 1-0, the keeper stopping Cartman after another Armstrong flick-on.

He won a series of high balls in the opposition half and was Quakers’ most likely route to goal during a first half in which Darlington were on top, rarely allowing the struggling hosts sight of goal.

They did have their chances, however. Right-midfielder David Kuba-Kuba shot wide from 18 yards with the defence beaten, while Chris Hunter cleared the ball off the line after Peter Jameson had been beaten to a high ball following a free-kick, but the linesman had flagged for offside.

The second period was largely a non-event during the opening stages, Darlington not creating many chances and Ramsbottom unable to until the teams traded one each: Cartman saw a header go narrowly over, while the hosts’ Mark Harrop had a shot go over from inside the penalty area.

Then midway through the half Youhill celebrated his first start for the club with a lovely strike from 20 yards.

While he started the game on the right of midfield, he found himself in a position on the opposite side of the pitch from where curled the ball in right-footed in off the post.

The goal gave Darlington breathing space, and it was almost 3-0. Youhill got away down the right and Cartman not far away from reaching the low cross.

With the points as good as won, Gray made some changes. Adam Mitchell replaced Armstrong, who put in a superb shift, winning everything in the air, and that saw White go up front.

Hunter moved to the centre of defence with Mitchell at right-midfield once right-back Lewis Gibbons came on for Youhill.

In the final minute came the final goal, Cartman netting his fifth of the season.

Stephen Thompson dribbled through the centre of the pitch, played in Cartman to dink the ball over the keeper.

Darlington won without getting out of third gear and they will hope for more of the same when they head to Skelmersdale on Tuesday.

Goals: Armstrong (13, 0-1), Youhill (67, 0-2), Cartman (90, 0-3)

Bookings: Harrop (29, foul); Galbraith (52, foul)

Referee: David Storrie (Bramley)

Attendance: 341

Ramsbottom United (4-4-2): Shenton; K Harrop, Fitzgerald, Edghill, Heron; Kuba-Kuba, Maeney (Cliffe 68), Knight, Grimshaw; Gaskell, M Harrop (Crothers 80). Subs (not used): Russell, Haywood, Rother

Darlington (4-4-2): Jameson; Hunter, White, Burgess, Galbraith; Youhill (Gibbons 80), Turnbull (Scott 78), Portas, Thompson; Cartman, Armstrong (Mitchell 72). Subs (not used): Provett (gk), Watson

The Northern Echo:

HOW DARLINGTON FANS REACTED ON TWITTER:

Danny Hawkes ‏@DannyHawkes86  

"Not interested where we are in the league, ground situation has to be the priority now, else we could be in for a wasted season #darlo"

James ‏@JamesHadland1  

"We're top of the league! #darlo 3-0 easyyyyy"

Wayne Harrison ‏@wharrison83  

"Pleased with the clean sheet just as much as the three points. #Darlo"

Jamie DFC ‏@JamieDFC 

"Never mind the rugby. We are top of the league said we are top of the league! #Darlo"