A first-half disaster in Darlington helped Peterborough Sports to a third straight National League North defeat, but success for Spalding United

The city side were 2-0 down in 16 minutes and 4-1 behind after 35 minutes before rallying after the break. A Dan Jarvis goal made it 4-2 10 minutes after the re-start and Sports had chances before conceding again in the final minute. Even a brief stoppage for a floodlight failure couldn’t save them.

It’s now three National League North defeats in a row and no clean sheets since Phil Brown took over as manager early in September. Sports remain next-to-bottom, although just two points from safety ahead of home games against fourth-placed Radcliffe on Saturday (3pm) and Bedford Town, who are 14th, next Tuesday (November 25, 7.45pm).

Darlington were seeking a third straight win and it was never in doubt once Aidan Rutledge has scored on eight minutes following a slick four-man move, and Will McGowan had added a second goal on 15 minutes after gliding into the area unchallenged.

There was brief respite for Sports when Luca Miller struck after some penalty area pinball following a strong surge and shot from Aaron Powell just two minutes later, but all hope was extinguished by another quickfire scoring burst from the hosts. On 30 minutes Edwards conceded a penalty which Rutledge converted and five minutes later an Edwards handling error led to a tap-in for Toby Lees.

A 27-minute break for bad light helped Sports and when a Jarvis cross flow into the net a comeback was a possibility, but only when Ben Beresford saw a shot kicked off the line 13 minutes from time did the game threaten to get closer.

Edwards made a couple of smart stops at the other end, but he was beaten again in added time by substitute Matty Cornish.

Sports: Edwards, Powell (sub Coulthirst, 46 mins), Fox (sub Joshua, 30 mins), Oakley, Stewart (sub Felix, 54 mins), Wood, Whitehouse (sub Carayol, 46 mins), Jarvis, Straughan-Brown (sub Mclintock, 78 mins), Miller, Beresford. Unused subs: Crook, Cadogan.

Darlington: Jameson, Hedley, Lees, Barrow, Platt, McLoughlin, Howells, Lennon (sub Allan 67 mins), McGowan (sub Stanton 74 mins), Rutledge (sub Cornish 80 mins), Maskell (sub Main 74 mins). Unused subs: Cornish, McGrath, Scott.

Second-placed Spalding United won for the first time in three Southern Premier Division Central matches to keep the pressure up on leaders Harborough Town.

A first-half header from Liam Moore and a second-half strike from Jack Roberts delivered a 2-0 win over Kettering Town in the first of three home matches in a row. Harborough were 1-0 winners over Quorn to maintain a one-point lead, although they also have two games in hand.

Spalding are at home to fourth-placed Needham Market on Saturday (November 22, 3pm) when Harborough visit mid-table Worcester City.

Bottom club Stamford AFC did not have a game tonight, but are now 13 points from safety after the Tuesday matches. They host fellow bottom four four side Sudbury on Saturday/