Bradford Park Avenue 1, Darlington 1883 2

AVENUE'S failure to close out a game was their downfall yet again as Darlington came from a goal down late on to claim the win that lifted them back into the National League North play-off places.

The hosts had signed former Bantams striker Emile Sinclair from league rivals Altrincham in time for him to make the starting line-up and he marked his debut with a goal.

Sinclair almost had an immediate impact as he laid the ball to Tom Davie in the third minute but the wing back's shot was blocked.

Both sides had chances in the goalless first half without it being end to end.

The Quakers almost broke the deadlock midway through the first half but on-loan Bradford keeper Joe Cracknell came to Avenue's rescue once again.

Cracknell did well to parry a Mark Beck header and Nathan Cartman fired the rebound over the target.

It was the start of a good spell for the visitors but just after the half-hour mark, Darlington keeper Paul Woolston – also on loan, from Newcastle United – palmed a Liam Dickinson effort round his post.

A minute later, Woolston was relieved to see a shot from Davie hit the post after taking a deflection.

Cracknell was also aided by the frame of his goal as former Brighouse forward Cartman was denied by the post just before the interval.

Sinclair converted a cross from Avenue skipper Ryan Toulson just four minutes into the second half to the delight of the home supporters.

Yet the promotion-chasing Quakers hit back strongly and battled to take the three points.

Substitute Liam Hardy netted the equaliser as left back Jordan Watson sent in an 80th-minute cross – and two minutes later, Terry Galbraith curled a corner directly in over Cracknell's head.

* ALBION Sports won a seven-goal Northern Counties East League thriller at home to Premier Division basement boys Armthorpe Welfare.

The visitors belied their lowly standing and showed resilience but a brace from Rhys Jenkinson and goals from Karl Hall and James Firth saw Albion edge a 4-3 victory.