Brad Jackson’s equaliser on the 59-minute mark set Radcliffe on their way to a point at Blackwell Meadows, but a late finish from Jack Maskell deep into added time clutched victory for Darlington when the Boro seemed destined to claim their share of the spoils.

Bernard and Jonno made one change to the starting eleven following a narrow defeat on home soil at the weekend, Regan Riley regained his place in the team for his 11th appearance of the campaign, replacing Anthony Dudley who would enter the fray as a substitute with 12 minutes remaining.

Radcliffe began the affairs with a spring in their step, controlling possession from the off and having a couple of chances to take the lead. Scott Duxbury couldn’t keep his volley down at the back post inside a minute, before multiple crosses from both flanks evaded the yellow shirts attempting to meet the ball.

Mateusz Hewelt was called into action after seven minutes as the goalkeeper managed to get a fingertip to Ben Hedley’s bending effort, and at the other end of the field moments later, the Boro failed to take advantage of a four-on-three counter attack. With the bodies bursting into the final third, Jordan Hulme ignored his options and opted to pull the trigger himself, seeing his shot blocked before more Darlington players got back to defend their lines.

With 24 minutes on the clock, Danny Greenfield had a huge opportunity to break the deadlock as Radcliffe worked the ball intricately down the right before playing inside to George Glendon, he then set up the midfielder in space 10 yards out from goal and his tame effort was matched by Pete Jameson who saw the shot the whole way.

The visitors continued to apply pressure, winning a number of corners in the process but Darlington remained stubborn at the back to deny Radcliffe any further openings for the time being. However, the home side opened the scoring after 42 minutes to head into half-time with the advantage as Jack Maskell sent a bending effort beyond Hewelt from distance, which nestled into the top right corner of the net.

An added five at the end of the initial 45 wasn’t enough for the Boro to level up prior to the interval, but it didn’t take long before Brad Jackson netted his third of the season to restore parity.

Tom Walker clipped into space from the right after meeting Matt Sargent’s lofted through ball, allowing the 28-year-old to arrive at the perfect time and fire past Jameson into the roof of the net on the volley.

Those two players linked up once again with 20 minutes remaining as Jackson stretched to meet Walker’s cross into the back post, but his attempt flew agonisingly off target by mere inches for a Darlington goal kick.

The hosts began to up the ante with Radcliffe pegged back inside their own half, however the clear-cut chances were limited and the scoreline remained level as three additional minutes were added on at the end of the 90, which Darlington took full advantage of.

After Dudley gave away a free kick in a crossing position 25 yards out from goal, Hatfield delivered over the wall and into a pocket of space where Maskell was on hand to flick into the back of the net in the last few seconds of the match, claiming victory against the odds at Blackwell Meadows.

Radcliffe will look to bounce back on the road once again this Saturday, as we travel to the Cal.Delivery Stadium to lock horns with Warrington Town in a huge fixture towards the bottom end of the table.

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