Dan Barton guided Spalding to their sixth win of the season in a 3-2 thriller against Darlington FC on Saturday. The technical winger netted the winner after previously putting the Tulips 2-0 towards the end of the first half.

In a game that saw Liam Moore return from a prolonged spell out due to injury, the Tulips began the fixture with a lot of attacking intent.

An early linkup between Dan Jarvis and Dion Sembie-Ferris forced an early corner from the visitors. Alfie Bendle then floated a lovely ball into Jarvis, who hit the side netting with a decent attempt.

Then, on 22 minutes, Nyahwema laid the ball off to Kelly who played a pinpoint cross into Jarvis, nestling his effort into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.

The visitors had a couple of attempts to get on the scoresheet, with Jacob Hazel hitting an effort from distance that produced a diving stop from Crook.

Then, in the 34th minute, Joseph Nyahwema played an inviting ball into the back-post area which found Dan Barton in acres of space, and he tapped home for 2-0!

Spalding carried the emphatic 2-0 lead into the break after a dominant half of football, which prompted a double change from the Quakers as they brought on Render and Mark Beck.

However, in the 50th minute, Jacob Hazel gave Darlington a way back into the game as he fired the ball home from a corner to half the deficit.

Darlington piled on the pressure as the second half progressed, with Peter Crook coming off his line to clear any oncoming danger on multiple occasions.

A double substitution was then made by the Tulips as Ejiro Abbey and Maniche Sani entered the field, replacing Joseph Nyahwema and goalscorer Dan Jarvis.

With 10 minutes to go, the Quakers levelled the affair, with Mark Beck firing home from another set-piece following a goalmouth scramble.

But, just three minutes later, Bendle rolled a perfect through ball into Dan Barton who rifled the ball past Shea Connor to give Spalding the lead with his second of the game!

Maniche Sani could’ve made it four before full time, but his effort was saved well by Connor.

FT: Spalding United 3-2 Darlington FC

Starting XI: P. Crook, M. Kelly, L. Moore (C), C. Johnson, A. Bendle, D. Barton, D. Jarvis, S. Byrne, S. Straughan-Brown, D. Sembie-Ferris, J. Nyahwema

Today’s Attendance: 781

Written by Zakk Symonds