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  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Venue: 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena
  • Attendance: 3508
  • Referee: Foster, D

Live Commentary

90 mins

The ref has blown his whistle for full time.

90 mins

Goal!! Darlington have scored with Pawel Abbott putting it in the back of the net.

83 mins

The referee has booked David Stockdale.

82 mins

Goal!! Brentford have scored with Reuben Reid putting it in the back of the net.

80 mins

Bryan Hodge is replaced by Neil Wainwright.

76 mins

Robert Milsom is being taken off, John Mousinho has come on in his place.

73 mins

Kevin Gall is being taken off, Gregg Blundell has come on in his place.

66 mins

Nathan Elder is replaced by Reuben Reid.

66 mins

Wayne Brown is replaced by Ricky Shakes.

63 mins

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu is being taken off, Pawel Abbott has come on in his place.

59 mins

Goal!! Julian Joachim scores for Darlington.

48 mins

Goal!! Darlington have scored with Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu putting it in the back of the net.

46 mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 0.

45 mins

Half time whistle is blown by D Foster

0 mins

The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Match Report

Darlington turned in a superb second-half performance after getting to grips with a swirling wind and determined opponents in a poor first period.

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu put them ahead on 48 minutes when he stole in unmarked to control Ryan Valentine's cross from the right flank before heading home past Brentford keeper Ben Hamer.

That calmed Darlington nerves and on 59 minutes Julian Joachim scored once of the best goals of the season.

He struck a brilliant shot into the top corner of the net after a flowing move which ended with Kevin Gall back-heeling the ball to the on-rushing Joachim, who hit it first time from 20 yards.

Brentford sub Reuben Reid set up a nervy finish for Darlington by scoring from close range on 82 minutes with his side's only clear opening of the half.

But Darlington roared back on the attack and sub Pawel Abbott added a third on 89 minutes after Hamer fumbled a cross from Neil Wainwright.

It was just reward for Darlington's dominance, but they could have paid for missed chances when 2-0 up.

Michael Cummins, Wainwright and Bryan Hodge all missed opportunities to kill Brentford off.

It was in stark contrast to a dire first half in which neither side got to grips with the swirling wind or each other.

Darlington's only shot on target was a tame effort from Ben Parker, who was making his debut.

Brentford faired marginally better with Robert Milsom's 37th minute cross finding the head of Nathan Elder, whose looping header was saved by David Stockdale.

Then on 43 minutes, Alan Connell broke clear. Stockdale saved at his feet and Glenn Poole was unable to turn the loose ball in as the defence quickly regrouped.

It was clear that Darlington's 4-3-3 formation was not working and they switched to 4-4-2 in the second half, with the tactical change paying immediate dividends.

They have struggled to win home games lately and by romping home this time their confidence will be boosted for the promotion push.

But for Brentford, the play-offs are now a distant dream after their revival has hit the buffers with three successive defeats in a week they will want to forget.

They will have to quickly rediscover their form if they are to reach the top seven.

Darlington Team

Brentford Team

Darlington

Brentford

Corners

4 3

Fouls

8 9

Goal attempts

11 10

Shots off target

6 6

Offsides

6 3

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