Morpeth suffered defeat at Craik Park on Saturday as National League North Darlington ran out winners thanks to two second half goals, writes Sam Donovan.
Cedric Main was lively throughout for the Quakers and on five minutes he had his first chance as he got through on goal but was denied by a superb challenge from Ryan Wombwell.
From the resulting corner, the ball eventually found its way through to former Highwaymen loanee Matty Cornish, but his volley was into the ground and a comfortably claimed by Dan Langley in the Town goal.
The game was a cagey affair and it took until midway through the half for Morpeth to get themselves into their stride with a period of sustained attacking pressure but couldn’t get a shot away to test Pete Jameson in the Darlington goal.
The best chance in this spell came when a cross from Luke James was played to the far post but it was cleared away with Nic Bollado lurking.
Despite being a pre-season friendly there was a competitive edge to the game and Nathan Buddle was cautioned for one foul too many.
As the half drew to a close, it would be fair to say that it was one of few chances as both sides tried to gain the upper hand with neither goalkeeper being called into making a serious save.
Darlington started the second half brightly and Main had a shot on the turn but he pulled it wide of the far post a minute into the half.
The next chance came the way of the away side as Hedley smashed an effort from fully 30 yards that flew narrowly over the top.
Their third chance within the opening five minutes of the half came through Cornish but he skewed an effort wide of the post when well position in front of goal.
The Highwaymen responded and great play involving Vinnie Steels and James saw the latter send a low ball into the area but Bollado couldn’t apply the finish under pressure form his marker.
The best chance of the game came on 57 minutes as Main raced clear from halfway and took the ball around Langley, however a heavy touch allowed Jeff Henderson to get back and make a sliding block on the line to clear the ball.
Conditions deteriorated as the half wore on with monsoon weather. A number of flashpoints crept into the game with Maskell getting cautioned for Darlington before immediately being substituted by the bench.
Jarret Rivers curled an effort narrowly wide of the far post as he jinked his way in from the left touchline.
The game burst into life on 69 minutes when Wombwell was booked for a foul on the edge of the area. The free kick cannoned into the wall and eventually released Steels who raced forward and beat his man but saw his strike parried away by Jameson.
The visitors took the lead on 74 minutes as Main turned his marker on halfway and sprinted clear before supplying the finish into the far corner.
The lead was doubled on 81 minutes, Wombwell collected a second yellow for a foul; the free kick was curled into the far post and Forbes won the header. The ball may or may not have crossed the line but Salkeld made sure by hammering the ball home.
The Highwaymen conclude their pre-season schedule with a trip to Dunston on Friday evening (7.30pm).
Morpeth Town: Langley, Miller, Henderson, Buddle, Wombwell, James (Boyd, 83’), Dowling (Steels, 46’), Hickey (Baston, 89’), Bollado (Griggs, 78’), Barlow (Trialist, 38’), Trialist (Davison, 89’)
Subs not Used: Taylor
