A second-half fight-back from Northampton condemned rock bottom Darlington to a 2-1 defeat.

Northampton hit back to seal points against strugglers

A second-half fight-back from Northampton condemned rock bottom Darlington to a 2-1 defeat. The Darlington Arena was hosting football for the first time in seven weeks following the winter chill and the hosts surprisingly took the lead in the 29th minute when a deep Jeff Smith cross from the right found Tadgh Purcell at the far post. The Irish forward's simple tap-in ended Town's run of over 600 minutes since conceding a goal and gave football-starved Darlington fans something to celebrate at last. The Quakers should have increased their lead in the 52nd minute when Curtis Main burst clear but the teenage striker's poor shot was easily stopped by Chris Dunn in the Town goal. Northampton's equaliser came soon after when Billy McKay rounded Darlington keeper Shane Redmond in the 55th minute to fire in from eight yards. The Cobblers took the lead in the 70th minute when McKay fed Ryan Gilligan inside the area and a low drive through the keeper's legs from 10 yards settled the game and put Ian Sampson's men on their way to victory.