Wednesday's First North play-off semi-final review

There was a surprise in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North play-off semi-final between Darlington 1883 and Ramsbottom United on Wednesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The majority in the crowd of 1,926 at Heritage Park came to see a Darlington side, who finished ten points clear of Rammie in the regular season, move into Saturday's final against Bamber Bridge, who beat Warrington Town on Tuesday.

However, after a fiery encounter, the Quakers face another season in the First Division North after going down to a 2-0 defeat and ending the game with nine-men and manager Martin Gray sent to the stands.

Ramsbottom took a 23rd minute lead when Scott Burton headed in a Grant Spencer corner. And to the surprise of the home crowd, Rammie doubled their lead nine minutes later when Jordan Hulme cut in from wide and finished coolly.

Darlington`s hopes of getting back into the game took a severe blow soon after half-time when striker Stephen Thompson was sent-off for a second bookable offence. And shortly before the end the hosts were reduced to nine when Jordan Robinson also received a second yellow.

To make it an even more disappointing night for the Quakers, it was revealed later that Leon Scott had suffered a broken leg.