Recap: Darlington 0-2 Harriers

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HARRIERS produced an outstanding away performance to see off fellow play-off contenders Darlington 2-0 and return from the North East with a richly deserved three points.

In the club’s first outing since Saturday’s abandonment at Radcliffe, Adam Murray’s side showed real character on the road, absorbing early pressure before growing into the contest and striking twice after the break through David Davis and Ryley Reynolds.

The hosts threatened first inside three minutes when Jack Maskell nicked possession high up the pitch and let fly, his effort drifting a yard over the bar, before another sweeping Darlington move on nine minutes ended with Cedric Main diving in to head wide.

Harriers settled well after that early spell and began to find their rhythm. On 22 minutes, Brayden Johnson worked the ball into Charlie Cooper, who looked to pick out the far corner but saw his effort drift wide.

There was a brighter feel about Harriers at that stage and another encouraging opening followed on the half-hour. Reynolds and Johnson combined to move the ball forward, with Johnson driving on impressively before slipping in George Walker, whose shot was blocked by a covering defender.

A set-piece then brought another sight of goal on 33 minutes as Richard Faakye attacked a corner well, only to see his effort lifted over the bar.

Harriers emerged for the second half with real purpose and were ahead within a 28 seconds of the restart.

Davis had just been introduced, and played in neatly by Donnelly, he was racing through on goal. Keeping his composure, he finished neatly to put Harriers 1-0 in front.

It was the perfect start to the half and Harriers continued to look the more threatening side. Walker drove one from distance on 51 minutes that Rory Watson gathered, before Davis and Walker combined well six minutes later, the latter supplying Kieren Donnelly, whose firm effort bounced off Watson and was then cleared.

Darlington remained a threat and Kallum Griffiths tried his luck from range on 58 minutes, but Jamie Pardington reacted sharply to parry the bouncing effort aside.

Harriers continued to carry danger on the break and came close again on 68 minutes. Reece Devine burst through the middle and rounded the goalkeeper, only for an outstanding recovery block from Ben Hedley to deny him.

At the other end, Toby Lees headed over from a free kick on 78 minutes as the hosts looked for a route back into the game, but Harriers stayed disciplined and strong.

Then, five minutes from time, came the clinching moment as the win was sealed. Harriers cleared their lines brilliantly and Reynolds gathered the ball just inside his own half. From there, he surged forward, cut inside and kept his cool to fire home a superb second, putting the seal on a memorable away win.

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