Story by Kevin Luff - 21st January 2006

Darlington move back into the play-offs for the first time since September with a 2-0 win over Oxford United

Darlington have showed immense amounts of character in recent weeks. Despite having lost two goalkeepers and the replacement shot stopper to injury, a talented central defender and virtually an entire forward line David Hodgson's squad has showed strength in adversity and continues to push up the League two table. Oxford United, with their recent dismal home record, were not about to derail this train as Hodgy's side recorded their third away win of the season however they could have any scoreline they liked with the amount of chances created.

This one took time to get going and had referee Grant Hegley decided to send Simon Johnson off for an apparent elbow on Andy Burgess before half time things could have turned out very different indeed. Johnson was already treading on very thin ice after he picked up an early booking - the former Leeds United man reacting to Matt Robinson's challenge just a minute early in the opening stages of the game. Quakers failed to settle early on into their 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 system and it gave Oxford the early intuitive.

Any doubts over the condition of Matt Clarke were erased after four minutes after he bravely blocked Eric Sabin's effort on the edge of the area. The central defender was left in real pain following the Grimsby Town game in midweek with what was feared was a fractured cheekbone. He showed little signs of discomfort during this encounter. The same could not be said for the team as a whole. Two minutes after Clarke's block Steve Basham headed wide from a right wing cross as Oxford suggested they were more capable than their recent fixtures showed.

After the opening fifteen minutes the early nerves were gone as the visitors started to impose themselves on the proceedings. A Carlos Logan cross from the right nearly dropped for Johnson after twenty-three minutes but Jon Ashton, Oxford's best player over the course of the afternoon, completed the clearance. Quakers quickly forced two corners half an hour in and then a long ball forward by Ryan Valentine was flicked on by Clarke to Shelton Martis who lofted the ball over Chris Tardif and the crossbar. Darlington continued their pressure and five minutes before the break were desperately unlucky not to take the lead. A Logan free kick down the left flank was headed goalwards by Joe Kendrick from five yards out only to see Tardif fling himself at the ball and somehow keep it out.

Oxford must have been inspired by the man in the number one jersey as Burgess played a brilliant ball into the heart of the six yard box only for Clarke to put it behind. The half time whistle blew with Darlington looking by far the stronger side in the closing stages but both teams had enjoyed good chances to break the deadlock. Whilst Darlington had started slowly in the first period they produced an explosive opening few minutes in the second half which badly battered Oxford's fragile confidence. Dickman collected a return pass from Kyle Lafferty and drove a low shot past Tardif and into the bottom right corner of the goal from the edge of the box for the lead just two minutes in.

Prior to Dickman's opener Darlington were forced to remove Phil Stamp due to a stomach strain and bought on Akpo Sodje. Quakers switched to a 4-4-2 system and continued where they let off. Shortly after the first goal a Kyle Lafferty cross was sent just wide of the near post by substitute Sodje. The forward then set up Lafferty who allowed Tardif to demonstrate the other side of his game. The former Bournemouth keeper did brilliantly in the first period but fumbled Lafferty's shot onto the upright after fifty-four minutes. Darlington were having opportunities aplenty to double their advantage and rather worryingly were not taking them.

As the game entered the final twenty minutes Quakers' and Clarke's hard work could easily have been undone. The defender had one of his mad moments at the back which allowed Lee Mansell to drive a shot towards goal which Kasper Schmeichel saved with some style. Moments later another mistake at the back allowed the ever dangerous Sabin in down the right flank but he hit the post. In truth Schmeichel was so well positioned the Oxford forward would have found it difficult to make his effort count. The warnings were heeded by the visitors, who despite the mad moment, were largely in control of this encounter.

The only criticism was the margin of victory was not more. Sodje released Lafferty for a one on one but the on loan lad from Burnley fired straight at the keeper before a nice exchange of passing involving Logan and Sodje saw the former Huddersfield man lay the ball off for Dickman who had a fierce effort pushed over the bar for a corner kick. Darlington's control of the game and the large amount of chances meant it should have been wrapped up long before the fourth official unveiled five minutes of injury time. The nerves must have been jangling somewhat but Quakers obliged by getting the second they deserved but should have scored earlier. A long clearance found Oxford substitute Mark E'Beyer who dallied and allowed Johnson to regain possession. He took the ball around Tardif but took one touch too many and nearly missed his opening but scuffed the ball home for the second goal and the three points.

Oxford United: Tardif, Ashton, Willmott, Roget, Robinson, Mansell, Quinn (E'Beyer 80), Hargreaves, Burgess, Basham (Roach 58), Sabin. Subs: Dempster, Turley, Weedon, Roach, E'Beyer.

Darlington: Schmeichel, Valentine, Martis, Clarke, Kendrick, Keltie, Dickman, Stamp (Sodje 45), Logan (Hopkins 90), Lafferty (Appleby 88), Johnson. Subs: Peacock, Norton, Sodje, Hopkins, Appleby.

Oxford United bookings: Robinson, Hargreaves.

Darlington bookings: Johnson, Stamp.

Goals: Dickman 47th min (1-0), Johnson 90th min (2-0).