City kicked off but neither side managed to create any decent chances in the opening minutes. The first effort was City's though as Frecklington's deflected shot almost looped into the net, only Simon Brown's palm keeping the Imps from taking the lead against Darlington for the first time in just under three calendar years.

The opening quarter of an hour was dull, but it all livened up in the fourteenth minute when Patulea and Foster clashed on the right hand side of the pitch. Foster kicked out at Patulea, leaving the Romanian on the ground and Mathieson sent the former Scunthorpe man from the field. N'Guessan's shot was blocked on the edge of the box before Ryan replaced Burgmeier for the hosts.

Darlington were lucky to stay at ten men just minutes later when Foran and Hone tussled, the latter going to the ground and being stamped on by the former Carlisle man. After initially ignoring it, the referee proceded to have strong words with Foran.

Alan White had the host's first chance in the 37th minute when he headed over the bar following a corner before Patulea wasted a golden opportunity for the Imps on the edge of the area. He had space and time but his first-time shot went well wide of the target and that brought to an end the first half.

It took less than a minute of the second half for the Imps to rather undeservedly fall behind. This time good work from Foran allowed Hatch to find himself unmarked in the area. The former Peterborough striker produced a neat finish to give Darlington the lead with their first shot on target during the man.

Patulea headed wide for City before Ben Wright came on for his usual cameo appearance, replacing Shane Clarke in the 53rd minute. Infact, Wright made an immediate impact as he gave away a free kick within 20 seconds of coming on but Patulea had the game's next effort, shooting well wide of the target from just yards out.

Burch saved well from Kennedy before Wright missed a golden chance. Patulea played the ball into him and in a chance that he would have buried the previous season, Wright blasted high and wide. Then came the miss of the season so far, Patulea shot and Brown parried into the path of Wright. The striker had all the time in the world but couldn't even direct his header on target as the open goal stood in front of him.

Kevin Gall was replaced after yet another non-performance in the 66th minute, being replaced by Aaron Brown.

Frecklington's shot was deflected wide and Brown palmed the corner out before Hatch was replaced by Blundell. Patulea was replaced by Graham and the Scottish striker's first shot was blocked before Wright tried in vein to find the net.

With City dominating, Darlington launched a rare counter attack through Foran. He placed a shot beyond the fingertips of the onrushing Burch to give the Quakers a margin of victory that they hadn't really deserved.

City wasted two or three chances in added on time, but the Imps failed to score for the second time in as many League games.

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