Windscale’s return to the Falcon for only the second time in 10 games turned sour when they experienced a 3-1 defeat.
They were a goal down within the first minute when an error from Windscale keeper Ian Studholme gifted the visitors a dream start.
Attempting to lift the ball over the onrushing Ciaran Dixon he only succeeded in striking the Darlington Railway Athletic’s forward and it rebounded into the net.
Undaunted by this setback, the Atoms created several chances which could have seen them level the score and potentially take the lead. Some resolute defending and a little good fortune enabled Darlington to maintain their advantage.
Windscale frontmen Ben Graham and Lewis Jolly carved out chances but were unable to turn these into goals. A number of corner kicks were also not converted, with keeper Tyler Dickinson and Scott Hastie the Darlington star man playing a major part.
Just after the half hour mark, the Atoms midfielder, Reece Fretwell, lost possession in the Athletics half. The ball was quickly delivered to Ciaran Dixon who curled a superb shot into the top right hand corner to notch his second and take the visitors into the interval with a 2-0 lead.
The result was virtually decided in the 55th minute. A long ball forward into the Windscale penalty area was being chased down by Luke Jackson when he was met with a challenge from Studholme who had advanced from his goal.
The referee deemed this unfair, awarding a penalty kick and Ross Howell made no mistake from the spot.
There was controversy on the hour mark. Ben Graham appeared to have given the Atoms a lifeline. He had the ball in the back of the net following a struggle for possession with Dickinson and defender Taylor Craggs.
But after awarding the goal and following a lengthy discussion with his young assistant, the referee chalked off the goal for hand ball.
Despite relentless pressure in the final third of the game, Matt Metcalf only notched a consolation goal for the Atoms in the last minute, which was too little too late.
The Atoms can reflect on their lack of consistency over the 90 minutes and the two goals they gifted the opposition which undoubtedly cost them at least a share of the spoils.
