STEPHEN THOMPSON’S winner was enough to win the points for Darlington yesterday, an eye-catching finish beating the Brackley goalkeeper from an acute angle.

He received the ball after a lay-off by Mark Beck, the striker playing in his team-mate after a Terry Galbraith corner caused confusion in the Brackley box.

Whereas most would have looked to pick out a pass, or drive the ball across a crowded six-yard box, Thompson had no qualms about smashing the ball high into the net beyond Laurie Walker.

The goalkeeper was the visitors’ best player, but he was no match for the powerful shot, Thompson’s sixth goal of the season.

Manager Martin Gray said: “He had lots of power, he hits the target and the pace of the ball beats the keeper. It was great technique.”

Midfielder Phil Turnbull admitted: “Of all the people I have played with in my career, I want that ball to drop to Tommo.

“From where I was standing I wanted him to whip the ball into the box in that position, but his quality on the ball is frightening.

“It was a great goal and his all-round game was good. He was getting at people, he was positive and when he’s doing that the opposition are on the back foot.”

Brackley came into the contest in ninth, six points off a play-off place and with hopes of gate crashing the top five, but Darlington’s 1-0 win hoists them above Halifax and Stockport, who both failed to win.

“They’re a big, organised side and we have struggled of late at home, so it was good to get three points,” added Turnbull.

“It was a bit of a six-pointer and that win probably rules them out of a play-off spot. So it was a massive win. It wasn’t pretty at times, but we dug in deep and got the three points.

“As soon as we came off the pitch we heard about the results elsewhere.

“It’s all about timing when it comes to the play-offs we’re on a decent little run, teams are losing around us and if we can build momentum going into the last few games then it can only be a good thing.”

Darlington are at home to Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday (7.45pm).