Lancaster City 0-0 Darlington

Darren Peacock’s side shared the spoils against the then title-favourites, battling out to a stalemate in the glorious early spring sunshine.

Mike Hale was the busier of the two keepers throughout the game but he and his Lancaster backline were solid throughout, whilst City had their own chances to snatch the points throughout the 90 minutes.

Gary Brown had the visitors’ best chance of the first half, heading David Dowson’s corner over the bar from six yards, whilst Ryan Winder’s swerving volley from distance narrowly missed the far post in a rare chance for the hosts who looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Quakers’ midfielder Tom Portas should have done better as he scuffed a shot from eight yards that Hale saved with relative ease, whilst Josh Draycott’s drive from Matty Poole’s layoff from close range was brilliantly stopped by a last ditch tackle from Alan White.

Darlington keeper Peter Jameson was sent off in the dying minutes for the visitors as he tripped Tom Woods, latching onto Hale’s long ball, to stop a certain winner for City.

Winder’s resultant free kick effort from the edge of box was spectacularly saved by stand-in keeper Gary Brown to stop Lancaster snatching the points at the death.