Salford City saw a commanding lead disappear against Darlington as they were defeated 3-2 at Heritage Park earlier tonight.
It was a game that burst into life in the last ten minutes after a rather dour first half.
Terry Galbraith gave Darlington the first with to a well-placed corner that bamboozled everyone to nestle in Salford’s bottom corner.
Salford captain Chris Lynch equalized in the second half, planting his head on a whipped corner that was impossible for Pete Jameson to stop.
Another set piece put The Ammies ahead in the 81st minute.
A well-worked corner gave The Quakers problems clearing out and Josh Hine took advantage, turning the ball into the net to complement another stellar performance.
Just moments later though Darlington were back level with footballer-cum-model Leon Stott powering the ball home from a long throw.
Things would get worse for the visitors on the stroke of 90 when Liam Hardy – a 20-goal-a-season striker just transferred from Buxton – slammed home his maiden goal for the club.
Jay Lynch was beaten to his far post as the 25-year-old continues his quest for the golden boot.
The result puts Darlington two points ahead of Salford in the title race with an outside bet to be promoted ahead of leader leaders Blythe Spartans as Champions.
If that happens The Ammies will potentially have to travel to Northumberland once again to face the only other team besides The Quakers to do the double over them this season.
With Ashton United also picking up three points away to Whitby the playoffs are still wide open as teams clamber for the chance to play for the right to earn a place in the National League North.
For Salford, this will be a hammerblow to any chance of securing home advantage for the play-off semi-finals with their place in the postseason anything but guaranteed.
City now have two crucial games against promotion rivals Ashton and Workington on Saturday and Tuesday respectively: both have turned from Must Not Lose to Must Win.
Main image: @SalfordFCPhotos/Charlotte Tattersall
