Darlington RA borrowed Darlington's team coach for the long-trip to Windscale last weekend, but it didn't bring them much luck.

The RA had been defeated just once in their previous 12 games - and that was on penalties in a Cup match - but on Saturday they lost 2-1.

But the team are still top of the Wearside League, and manager David Woodcock wasn't down-hearted, and says the team enjoyed their day on the bus which chairman George Reynolds has laos lent to Evenwood Town.

David said: "The players travelled in style for the day and they enjoyed themselves which is what counts.

"It was a bit of a social event and you can't win every game so you might as well enjoy it, or you might as well pack in."

"It was was a wonderful gesture by George Reynolds.

"It saved us a fortune and it makes a hell of a difference to a club like us.

"We'd have had to organise race nights, hand out a few dominoe cards and charge the players something as well."

RA are away to Washington westwood in the Durjam Trophy tomorrow, while their next long trip is to North Shields next month, and although David says use of the bus wouldn't go amiss, they aren't expecting it.

"If Reynolds said no we couldn't argue because what he did for us last Saturday was excellent."