Darlington RA had cause for a double celebration at the weekend. Not only were they able to stage one of only two games to be played but they completed a great day by beating high-flying Birtley Town with a late goal.

Secretary Martyn Jackson and a small band of enthusiasts helped groundsman David Eckels clear the pitch of snow and they were delighted when the referee announced that the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup tie could go ahead.

"At 7.30am I thought we had little chance but we all got stuck in and our efforts were rewarded when the official gave us the go-ahead," said Jackson.

With so many neighbouring matches postponed, including Third Division Darlington's home game, the biggest gate of the season turned up at Brinkburn Road for the attractive quarter final tie with Birtley Town, who are favourites to clinch the Wearside League championship.

Just when it appeared that the tie would go into extra time, RA snatched the crucial winning goal with only five minutes remaining.

"We were pleased when we were able to stage the game and over the moon at the final whistle. I thought the lads produced our best performance of the season.

There are some good teams in the league but Birtley is the one to beat," claimed manager David Woodcock.

Although RA are only five points adrift of leaders North Shields with two games in hand, Woodcock believes that his side's best chance of silverware rests in cup football.

"With the exception of the Robins, the four teams above us all have games in hand, particularly Birtley and Stokesley SC so it looks as if our chances our not very good.

"We are, though, well advanced in three cups and last Saturday's win means we are into the semi finals of the Shipowners' Cup as well as the Quarter Finals of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and the League Cup.

"We made a poor start to the season but have really come good and when I am able to field my first-choice line-up, we take some beating," enthused Woodcock who spent four years with Sunderland as a teenager before playing 38 games in the Football League with Darlington.

The club have ambitions but are determined to keep their feet firmly on the ground. Recently, they were granted permission to install floodlights which they have already purchased and they also intend to provide a stand in the near future.

"If we are to consider moving into the Albany Northern League we will have to meet their ground criteria and also finish in at least the top two of the Wearside League but even if we do so, we will sit down and talk about the implications.

"We have come a long way in a short time and we do not want to throw away allthe progress we have made. At present, we are simply savouring last week's result and looking forward to our next game," added Woodcock.