Wearside League leaders Darlington Town improved their Championship winning potential with a 3-1 win over Windscale at the Falcon Complex.
But the result was certainly not a reflection of the game with some questionable decisions from the match officials.
Darlington took advantage of a strong wind in their favour to take a 2-0 lead after only 10 minutes played.
The visitors could not have had a better start when they were awarded a penalty after Reece Fretwell was forced to make a last-ditch tackle to cut out a Darlington attack. The subsequent spot kick was slotted home by Ben Wood.
It was Wood again eight minutes later who doubled the visitors lead. After being put through on goal he fired the ball into the back of the net beyond the advancing Atoms keeper, Andrew Richardson.
After a disastrous start, Windscale gradually clawed their way back into the game.
Matt Metcalf, in particular, instigated some good attacking play from midfield, but the Darlington defence restricted any clear-cut chances from developing. Dean Fox, bursting forward, had a good effort blocked but the Atoms injury list lengthened again when Fox left the field shortly after with a reoccurring groin strain.
At the start of the second half Darlington threatened to increase their lead from a corner kick, but Fretwell cleared the ball off the line.
With the wind now in the Atoms favour the pattern of the game began to change, with the hosts having much more of the play.
Darlington were reduced to ten men when James Wilson was dismissed for a dangerous shin high tackle on Fretwell. From this point the Atoms dictated play, with Darlington keeper Phil Pentony e Darlington goal ensuring the hosts were kept at bay with excellent saves from Will Rooke and Lewis Selkirk.
With 12 minutes and a good five minutes of additional time left, Windscale reduced the arears.
Steven Walker, up for a corner, headed over Pentony from a well delivered flag kick by Selkirk. Another corner almost led to an equaliser, but Darlington scrambled the ball away from danger.
The Atoms were guilty of some overplay, failing to shoot from outside the box on a number of occasions when with the wind in their favour that may have been a better option.
With a minute left the game ended in controversy. A ball headed towards Richardson was being shielded by Ryan Fitzwilliam, when Darlington’s Elliott Pledger collided with the home defender before going to ground.
The referee, who had a good view of the situation waved play on, however, following consultation with his assistant he surprisingly changed his decision awarding yet another penalty. Wood stepped up to convert the spot kick for his, and Darlington’s, third goal.
This was far from a great performance from the Atoms, however, it showed they can compete with the best the League has to offer. On another day and with the run of the ball the result may have been different.
They now prepare to travel across to meet Richmond Town who are hosting the final of the Alan Hood Charity Trophy on Good Friday. Windscale will be looking to bring home the silverware.
