DARLINGTON snatched victory two minutes from time against Curzon Ashton thanks to Dave Syers’ seventh goal of the season.

He headed home after a Josh Gillies delivery, giving rejuvenated Quakers their fifth win in sixth matches.

Just a few weeks ago they were anxiously looking over their shoulder after only one win in 12 games, but they are now 13th and six points off the play-offs, and eight away from the relegation zone.

It looked like being a goalless draw with Curzon Ashton, both sides at Blackwell Meadows having not made the most of their chances.

Curzon were denied by an outstanding save by Quakers keeper Aynsley Pears, who blocked from Sam Walker at close-range midway through a first half in which the Nash were arguably the better side with Darlington struggling to find any rhythm.

They had made three changes since beating Kidderminster Harriers a fortnight ago, Joe Wheatley, Jack Vaulks and Harvey Saunders making way, with Ben O’Hanlon and James Caton recalled, while the inclusion of Mitchell Glover raised eyebrows.

The 16-year-old midfielder, who manager Tommy Wright signed from Nuneaton Town, became the first player born after January 1, 2000 to start a league game for Quakers.

He had impressed in training, and several EFL clubs are aware of the youngster’s talents, so Wright took the opportunity to give him an outing, a bold move – plenty of managers talk of giving youth a chance, words which often goes down well with fans, but not all do so.

But Darlington could not reach the heights of their recent games, with Curzon causing problems.

Lone striker Ben Wharton, a muscular player, got the better of Josh Heaton during one Ashton attack, using his strength to break into the penalty area, but his pass across goal to Joe Guest was too heavy, allowing Quakers to concede a corner.

Curzon then spurned a great chance to go one-up, Guest scuffing an effort into Pears’ palms after being teed up by striker Wharton.

Darlington improved in the second half, looking more dangerous in front of goal, but they wasted a great chance to take the lead when Stephen Thompson had a penalty saved.

Curzon keeper Cameron Mason had conceded it, tripping half-time sub Gillies, but Mason redeemed himself by stopping Thompson’s effort with his legs, which was blasted straight down the middle.

It was the fourth penalty Darlington have missed this season from 11 attempts.

Gillies then missed a golden opportunity, missing an open goal, after a pass by Thompson, while at the other end Pears denied Walker again, and from the resulting corner Daniel Shaw headed into the side-netting.

Greg Mills, on for Glover, was gifted a chance after Shaw had given the ball away cheaply, but Mills’ shot was saved by Mason, and just in case Shaw wasn’t sure he was at fault, frustrated team-mate Chris Rowney gave him a mouthful of abuse.

A Curzon win would have been an appropriate birthday present for boss John Flanagan, who turned 60 on Friday, and he sent on sub Tyrell McKenzie, the player who scored a winner late on when the teams met back in September.

But the tables were turned this time when Syers scored, the midfielder stooping low to meet Gillies’ free-kick to score his seventh goal of the season.

Quakers aim to keep their good form going when they travel to Tamworth on Tuesday.

Goals: Syers (88, 1-0)

Bookings: O’Hanlon (37, foul), Shaw (44, simulation); Styche (90, simulation)

Referee: Gareth Rhodes

Attendance: 1,292

Darlington (4-2-3-1): Pears; Trotman, Heaton, Galbraith; O’Hanlon; Turnbull, Glover (Mills 75); Thompson (Scott 90), Syers, Caton (Gillies 46); Styche. Subs not used: Bancroft, Vaulks

Curzon Ashton (4-4-1-1): Mason; Baillie, Regan (Dwyer 78), Shaw, Hunt; Walker, Dunwoody, Rowney (McKenzie 86), Guest; McKenna; Wharton (Brooke 72). Subs not used: Clark, Thornley