Darlington’s M&M strike force were on target again as a third successive win elevated Steve Watson’s team to fourth.
Strikers Cedric Main and Jack Maskell have been central to the team’s good results of late, and each got a goal as Quakers eased past Bedford Town 2-0 at Blackwell Meadows.
Last Saturday, the strikers both scored when Quakers cantered to a 4-0 win at Spennymoor Town, and they did the same in midweek won Darlington defeated Curzon Ashton 2-1.
It happened again today, Main the first to strike after 13 minutes when Tom Tweedy’s low ball was turned goalwards at close-range by Maskell, goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore saved with his feet, but Main blasted home the loose ball.
It was the ideal start for Darlington, who went on to have a strong first half without adding to Main’s 15th goal of the season.
Neither goalkeeper was especially troubled for the remainder of the half.
Although Bedford defender Greg Taylor - a Darlington signing back when Mark Cooper was manager - strode forward and had a low shot that swerved wide of Rory Watson’s goal.
A fine piece of football saw Darlington take a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Playmaker Will McGowan played a lovely weighted pass ahead of Main which took him to the byline, and the striker’s inviting cross to the far post was nodded in by Maskell.
It was probably the easiest of his 12 goals this season, but the 21-year-old’s combative display is bound to have impressed the Carlisle scout in attendance. Gary Liddle, Hartlepool United's first team coach, was also at the match.
It was almost 3-0 when Main crossed again, but Aiden Rutledge’s bullet header was saved well by the towering Ashmore.
Rutledge’s minutes have been limited lately due to the form of Maskell and Main. He came off the bench in place of Tom Platt, and was deployed in an attacking midfield role.
Bedford played some good football throughout without testing Watson, typified when a late move ended with Taylor crossing from the left but Callum Banks’ header was too high.
A win with a clean sheet and both strikers on target made for a satisfying afternoon’s work for Watson, for whom today's match was the first nine at home in the final 14 fixtures.
They are again in action at home on Tuesday against Macclesfield, with Quakers seven points off third-placed Merthyr with three games in hand.
Darlington (3-5-2): Watson; Forbes, Lees, Barrow; Howells (Myers-Smith 90), Platt (Rutledge 63), McGowan, Stanton, Tweedy; Maskell, Main. Subs not used: Hedley, Cornish, McGrath, Lowes, Griffiths
Bedford Town (4-3-3): Ashmore; Sandiford, Doherty (Mensah 85), Taylor, Payne (Ebanks 54); Gyamfi, Moncur, E Brown; J Brown (Cole 46), Marsh, Castiglione (Phillips 65). Subs not used: Patmore, Ajose, Maja
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