Darlington conceded three second half goals at they fell to a 3-1 home defeat against Port Vale. Quakers had taken the lead through Tadhg Purcell in the first half but Vale fought back during the second period. The visitors scored all three of their goals during a fifteen minute spell.

The evening had started well for Darlington. Quakers gained the inivutive early on with Purcell sliding home his sixth goal of the season. Gareth Waite and Danny Groves both helped on a Stuart Giddings cross from the left to allow the in form Irishman a chance to increase his tally.

The goal was somewhat against the run of play but Darlington managed to hold on to their advantage at the half time break. However this was only down to a superb save from goalkeeper Shane Redmond after the quarter of an hour mark. Marc Richards crossed low for Craig Davies but from close range the Vale player was denied by an excellent stop.

More goals always seemed likely in this encounter and five minutes Mor Diop had another opening for the hosts. His first time shot from 20 yards out flashed just wide after some neat play to set up the forward. Darlington should have doubled their lead before the break. Waite broke into the box but the midfielder could not find a way past Joe Anyon in the Port Vale goal.

Vale made two changes for the start of the second half, Adam Yates and Sean Rigg replaced John McCombe and Davies. The visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Richards saw a powerful shot blocked by defender Alan White. Darlington were managing to defend most of what Vale threw at them but because they were unable to retain possession there was little let up.

It eventually told. On sixty-seven minutes the visitors made their third change. Doug Loft took the place of Robert Taylor and he scored within seconds of coming on. It got worse for Darlington as on seventy-two minutes Lois Dodds found himself in the area to score Vale's second. Darlington brought on new signing Ross Chisholm for Josh Gray before Gary fired a free-kick wide.

However Darlington conceded another with a little under ten minutes left to play. Loft crossed for Lewis Haldane to turn and fire home.