Darlington’s Stephen Thompson netted a 90th-minute goal to beat Harriers 2-1 at Balckwell Meadows in National League North.

The Quakers stalwart drove the ball beyond Jon Flatt to give his side victory when the visitors looked to have done enough to snatch a deserved point through Joe Ironside’s 18th goal of the campaign.

Boss John Eustace made some bold changes for this one; Ironside himself started the day on the bench with Dan Bradley and George Waring the favoured pairing in attack. Joel Taylor joined Jimmy O’Connor in missing out through injury, though the full-back is expected to return soon.

Harriers had an opportunity to go ahead before Darlington’s first on ten minutes but spurned it in the worst possible way when McQuilkin skewed wide from just a few yards – the visitors hit at the other end when a lofted ball towards goal wasn’t dealt with by goalkeeper Flatt, Heaton on hand to steer the ball home.

Four minutes later, a double save from Flatt’s opposite number kept Harriers at bay as Weeks was denied from a free-kick, Waring also seeing a rebound kept out.

With 34 on the clock some neat interplay found Vaughan free inside the area and, on the angle, he attempted to bend the ball into the far corner but could only watch on as the goalkeeper again proved equal to the effort.

Within just a couple of minutes of the restart Harriers were almost hit for a second when Syers threatened to steal away from his man, Sam Austin and James Pearson then both with some key defensive interventions before and after the hour as they blocked what would have been certain goals.

With 70 played Darlington really ought to have made it two but a fine curling effort from Reece Styche clipped the outside of the post after being the goalkeeper. Seven minutes later, Ironside restored parity by making no mistake up at the other end – his initial header also clipping the post before he was on hand to finish.

Both teams set about finding a winner but, in the 90th minute, it was the home side who found it; Ngwatala robbed of the ball as he delayed his pass, before Thompson found himself freed, going on to rifle his finish into the net to the delight of the home fans.

Home goalkeeper Pears held a Bradley effort in injury time as Darlington held on.

HARRIERS: Flatt, Austin, Vaughan, Pearson, Horsfall, Croasdale, Weeks (Brown 68), McQuilkin (Sonupé 59), Ngwatala, Waring (Ironside 59), Bradley.

Subs not used: Palmer, Truslove

Attendance: 1,427