Darlington 1 Mansfield 0 Darlo dent Stags' play-off hopes
Sunday People
02:42, 09 Feb 2013Updated 03:41, 09 Feb 2013
DARLINGTON eased their relegation worries with a hard-fought win over high- flying Mansfield.
Defender Matthew Clarke's second-half header settled an entertaining encounter that could have gone either way.
Darlington started strongly and forced three corners in quick succession that the Mansfield defence struggled to cope with.
Mark Convery's deliveries needed only the slightest touch, but Barry Conlon just failed to hit the target with a header.
The hosts continued to push forward in search of the opener and Danny Graham was unlucky to see his fierce drive from outside the area crash off the woodwork, with Mansfield goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington beaten.
Graham was then called into action at the other end, throwing himself in front of Neil MacKenzie's long-range effort to deny Mansfield on their first real foray into their opponent's half.
The visitors started to find their rhythm and launched another attack that ended when Wayne Corden's shot from the left was well saved by Darlington goalkeeper Michael Price.
Darlington picked up the pace again and Conlon went close with another header, this time from Ryan Valentine's cross, but a relieved Pilkington watched as the ball struck a post and rebounded to safety.
Mansfield striker Junior Mendes was also denied by the frame of the goal with a clever attempt from the edge of the area as the game burst into life with both sides trying to get their nose in front before the break.
It was Darlington who broke the deadlock soon after the restart when Convery sent in another dangerous corner from the left and Clarke made no mistake with his header from close range. Mansfield went looking for an immediate response and MacKenzie tried his luck from distance, but Price was equal to his effort and punched the ball clear.
Bobby Hassell was next to threaten, but Darlington defender Jonathan Hutchinson was on hand to see off any danger.
The impressive Convery was replaced by Ian Clark late on as Darlington closed the door on Mansfield and went about protecting their advantage. They were almost made to pay as Mansfield sub Andy White came close to rescuing a point at the death, but his header fell wide.