DELIGHTED Darlington manager Martin Gray spoke of his pride after seeing his team clinch promotion in scintillating style.

A point at Whitby Town would have been enough to finish first ahead of Blyth Spartans on goal difference, but Quakers made sure of the Northern Premier League title with a game to spare by winning 7-1.

It was 5-0 after 20 minutes, a breathless beginning leaving the outcome of the match in no doubt and, therefore, a third promotion in four seasons.

“I’m very proud. The longer you’re here the more you fall in love with the club and I know how much it means to the fans,” said Gray, who was held shoulder-high by supporters after the full-time whistle.

“These are the nights that you will never forget, it’s one to put away in the locker. When you’re old and can’t get out of your chair, nights like this is what you will remember.

“We’ve won the championship against the odds. We’ve had so many games postponed, and at one point we were 14 points behind Blyth, so it sometimes it felt like everything was against us.

“To win it like this is brilliant, with 14 wins out of 15.”

It was 6-0 at half-time, the players earning a standing ovation at the break, while at full-time Graeme Armstrong left with the match ball after bagging a hat-trick.

Stephen Thompson, Kevin Burgess, Terry Galbraith and Leon Scott were also on target.

“I had said before the game that I wanted to win the last two matches, I had no intention of coming here for a draw, but I must admit I didn’t expect that, to start the game like that they did,” added Gray, whose team complete the campaign tomorrow at Rushall Olympic.

“We got that first goal, and the quality of our play and the balls into the box was outstanding.

“And for Armstrong to get a hat-trick in the style that he did was superb.

“We’ve had three promotions now and they get better every year.”