DARLINGTON lost their second successive away game today AFC Telford United, a game that was 0-0 until goalkeeper Peter Jameson saw red midway through the second half.

He was dismissed for clashing with striker David Hibbert on 67 minutes, Telford scored the resulting penalty and went on to secure an unexpected 2-0 victory.

The mid-table side went into the contest on the back of three league losses in a row, and having scored only 14 times in 18 matches, while a week ago Quakers gave leaders AFC Fylde a fright during a 1-1 draw.

So pleased was manager Martin Gray with that display he stuck with the same 4-3-3 formation, the only change seeing Gary Brown return from suspension ahead of the injured Jordan Watson.

But at the New Bucks Head today there was no continuation of last week’s form, Quakers putting in a below par display against a team intent on disrupting the visitors’ rhythm and timewasting from an early stage.

However, Darlington still created chances with Stephen Thompson frequently involved.

His cross to the far post was headed weakly at goal by Mark Beck, and at the end of some neat passing Thompson passed to Syers whose shot at the keeper from a central position on the edge of the penalty area.

Telford debutant John Paul Kissock saw a free-kick blocked by Darlington’s wall, a foul conceded after Quakers conceded possession via an over-hit Phil Turnbull pass inside his own half, and there was a moment of alarm when Telford forward Bradley Reid, on loan from Wolves, went down under Gary Brown’s challenge in the penalty area.

The referee played on, and on the verge of half-time Darlington stepped up their game and came close to scoring.

After a shot was blocked, they hit the post when a defender got a foot in to divert Syers’ shot, and Turnbull had his follow-up shot blocked by Gianluca Havern.

And in injury time Beck put a free header over the bar, a wasted opportunity that proved to be pivotal as Darlington were unable to get into their stride in the second 45 minutes.

They had an escape when Reid put a free header over the bar from six yards following a free-kick, and just before the hour Gray had seen enough and sent on Nathan Cartman, the manager switching to 4-4-2, his usual formation.

Within moments Cartman tried a glancing header when meeting a Gary Brown cross, but the striker did not make a big enough contact, and unfortunately Jameson did moments later when clashing with Hibbert inside the penalty area.

The goalkeeper reacted to a challenge by using his head to make contact with the Telford player who went to ground, referee Declan Bourne flashing a red card meaning Jameson will serve a three-match ban for violent conduct.

Reserve keeper Mark Bell replaced Josh Gillies, but was unable to keep out Josh Wilson’s penalty and thereafter Quakers were up against it.

They were a man down and 1-0 down, and soon it was 2-0.

Reid blasted beyond Bell from the edge of the penalty area, a powerful effort, and it effectively meant game over for Gray’s side.

Just before the second goal Beck believed he had been fouled inside Telford’s penalty area, but Telford had their tails up and it was very nearly 3-0.

Wilson curled a free-kick wide, and then Reid hit the post as Darlington’s day unravelled.

The defeat was only their second away defeat of the season, and it leaves them third, seven points adrift of leaders AFC Fylde who beat Boston United 9-2.

Goals: Wilson pen (69, 1-0), Reid (75, 2-0)

Bookings: Gillies (49, dissent), Burgess (68, dissent), Montgomery (75, time wasting)

Sending-off: Jameson (67, violent conduct)

Referee: Declan Bourne

Attendance: 1,136

AFC Telford United (4-2-1-3): Montgomery; Samuels, Havern, McCone, O’Hanlon; Rea, Royle; Kissock (Kearns 90); Reid (Reynolds 85), Hibbert (Fitzpatrick 81), Wilson. Subs (not used): McCarthy, Killy

Darlington (4-3-3): Jameson; Marrs, Burgess, Brown, Galbraith; Turnbull Falkingham, Syers (Cartman 57); Thompson (Hardy 76), Beck, Gillies (Bell 69). Subs (not used): Hunter, Scott