Darlington brought the curtain down on a disappointing season with a dramatic win at Chester City.

They led 1-0 thanks to Pawel Abbott's goal midway through the second half but appeared set for a disappointing draw against their relegated opponents when Ian Miller scored a spectacular own goal in the 89th minute.

But in injury time Abbott popped up to give Quakers a deserved victory and a fitting end to a season ruined by administration.

Players and supporters have all been left deeply frustrated by former chairman George Houghton's decision to put the club in administration during February, a move that effectively ended promotion hopes and played, indirectly, led to Dave Penney resigning as manager.

He became Oldham boss on Thursday, and supporters now fear for the future of the club's squad with many sure to be attracting attention from rival clubs.

A large and vocal following made the trip from the North-East and they gave Darlington plenty of backing throughout at the Deva Stadium.

Early on they saw Quakers retain possession for long spells early on. After only seven minutes Adam Griffin powerful snapshot, following a Franz Burgmeier through-ball, was kept out by keeper James Spencer.

Griffin was recalled and playing on the left-wing as Martin Gray, in charge for the day following Penney's midweek exit, made two changes with Neil Austin recalled.

The defender replaced the suspended Alan White at centre-back, while David Poole played in the hole just behind lone striker Pawel Abbott.

On 12 minutes Jason Kennedy saw a drive parried by the keeper as Darlington's supremity continued until midway through the half when Chester began to threaten.

A fine Chester move ended with a low Ryan Lowe shot dealt with comfortably by Przemyslaw Kazimierczak, and the Pole was called into action two minutes later.

This time it was to deal with a long-range David Mannix shot that took an awkward bounce.

Between those saves Kennedy went on a superb solo run that saw him take the ball past several Chester players but the shot from a central position 20 yards out was no quite as impressive and Spencer saved with ease.

Five minutes after the restart Abbott saw a powerful shot from the corner of the penalty area tipped wide by Spencer, and from the resulting corner Kennedy was inches away from scoring.

Griffin's corner to the back post was flapped at by Spencer but Kennedy headed the ball just over the bar.

Soon after Abbott missed a similar chance, and this one was Quakers' best so far.

A Burgmeier inswinging free-kick, that he won himself after being fouled by Laurence Wilson directly in front of the vociferous visiting fans, was met inside the six yard box but Abbott headed over.

Chester striker Lloyd Ellams fired narrowly wide, but in the 71st minute came the goal Darlington had been waiting for with Abbott scoring from an extremely close-range indirect free-kick.

It was awarded after keeper Spencer had to use a hand to stop Glenn Rule's poor backpass from crossing the goal-line.

With every Chester player inside their own six-yard box, Ricky Ravenhill rolled the ball to Abbott and he slammed the ball into the net before racing off to celebrate in front of the Darlington fans.

Around 350 had made the trip and the goal sparked a party atmosphere with chants of: "Next year we'll be champions."

It was almost 2-0 soon after when Abbott played in sub Curtis Main and the youngster, with only the keeper to beat, clipped the post but he was called offside anyway.

Main has attracted the attention of Premier League Fulham and next week is to go on trial with the London club so a goal would have been fitting way to finish the season.

With 13 minutes to play Gray gave a debut to midfielder Danny Groves, another of the club's promising youngsters, and he replaced Kennedy.

The game was far from won and Kazimierczak had to be alert to tip over a dipping Wilson free-kick.

But with a minute to play Miller headed the ball past Kazimierczak as he attempted to intercept Anthony Barry's right-wing cross.

However, just as it seemed Darlington would have to settle for less than they deserved, which would have been typical of Quakers' season, Abbott latched on to a Main ball and fired home.

At the final whistle Gray led his players over to the Darlington fans to thank them for their support, while the supporters were also keen to show their appreciation to players who have showed commedable determintion during the financial crisis.

The win means Darlington finish 12th on 62 points though had they not been deducted ten they would be sixth and looking forward to the play-offs.

NORTHERN ECHO