FOR season-hardened Darlo fans, being involved in an enthralling title battle in April is not something we’re particularly used to. Usually at this time of year, we’re either playing out yet another mediocre season or battling for our lives at the bottom of the table trying to avoid relegation. My nerves aren’t made for these title battles.

After the disappointment of Tuesday night and 40 minutes of football that fortunately hasn’t been in this season’s playbook, a win against a very good Nantwich side was almost a necessity. While the performance against the Cheshire side on Thursday will not be up there as one of our best, the fact that we ground out the win speaks volumes for the spirit and morale in the camp.

In true Darlo fashion, we like to make things hard for ourselves and Chris Hunter being sent off certainly made for a nerve-wracking end to the game. As it was, our midfield and defence reorganised well and kept Nantwich at arms’ length to see out the game.

The red card will be an interesting one to see on the highlights. Most fans seem pretty convinced that it was a harsh decision. From my vantage point about 80 yards away, I thought it looked like a bad challenge; certainly a challenge that was unnecessary. Regardless of whether it was a justifiable red card, I’m sure Hunter will be disappointed with himself. Any suspension, whenever it comes, will pose a challenge for team selection, especially if Gary Brown remains absent following his concussion.

For me, the highlight of the night was walking in to the ground and finding out that a certain Amar Purewal had been recalled from his loan spell at Harrogate RA and was on the bench. I think Purewal’s recall will be a massive boost to everyone. Considering how long he’s been out, he looked sharp and could play a big role in the next two weeks. I think it’s a really good move on Martin Gray’s part as I fancy Purewal’s return will take a little bit of pressure off Liam Hardy.

I feel sorry for Hardy and a touch of déjà vu from last season following Nathan Cartman’s integration in to the side. Hardy has left a side that was geared up specifically to feed him, just like Cartman did last season. All of a sudden, he is expected to play a completely different way and finds himself in a position where he has to play provider a bit more than he’ll be used to. Add to that the pressure of a sizable transfer fee for this level of football and the tentative nature to the start of his Darlo career becomes a bit more understandable. He will come good. Clearly, Martin Gray has seen enough in him to know that. Like with Cartman, a preseason learning the Martin Gray way will provide a huge learning curve for the Doncaster-based forward and I expect he will hit the ground running next season like Cartman did this.

Speaking of hitting the ground running, we need to go again on Saturday with our trip to Grantham. Having been down around the relegation zone for most of the season, The Gingerbreads’ form has picked up in the last couple of months albeit they have been playing a lot of the sides that were in and around them at the bottom of the table. It goes without saying that it is a must win game. However, I’m pretty confident that we have gotten over our little mini-blip and as such, we can secure the much needed three points.