THE Mariners were edged out in a five goal thriller at the Darlington Arena this afternoon. It was Town's first away defeat since the 2-0 defeat at MK Dons at the beginning

TOWN boss Alan Buckley made a few changes from the side that saw off Barnet in midweek.

Nick Hegarty , who was on target against the Bees, was rested with James Hunt returning to midfield.

Tom Newey was given a left midfield position with Ryan Bennett promoted from the bench to take Newey's place in the back three.

Jamie Clarke moved to wing back to make way for Hunt while Peter Till replaced Gary Jones up front.

Martin Butler, who impressed against the Bees, kept his place in the Town attack.

There was a surprise name on the bench with Ciaran Toner being named amongst the subs.

GOAL! After a very even first few minutes, the Mariners took the lead on 29 minutes. Some good work by Peter Till who played the ball to Martin Butler to fire past Stockdale from six yards out.

Darlington, who have the best defensive record in League 2, conceded another a minute later.

GOAL! Till and Butler again combined with Butler hitting a crisp shot home from the edge of the box.

The goal seemed to make the Quakers angry and they began to pile on the pressure.

Pawel Abbott saw his right-footed effort go just over Barnes' crossbar from 25 yards.

And a minute later the home side made it 2-1.

GOAL! Austin found Abbott who ran on before neatly lobbing the ball over Barnes and into an empty net.

With just 2 minutes to go to the break Darlington drew level, again Abbott the goalscorer.

GOAL! Kennedy's pass found the Quaker's frontman who finished into the bottom left hand corner, giving Barnes no chance.

On 64 minutes Darlington were ahead.

GOAL! Wright was given time and space to turn on the edge of the Town box before hitting a low left-footed shot beyond Barnes' out stretched hand.

Till almost equalised minutes later, just minutes after receiving treatment for a head injury.

The flying midfielder raced into the box and unleashed a powerful low shot which was turned away brilliantly by Stockdale in the Darlington goal.

Peter Bore and Ciaran Toner were introduced as the Mariners pushed for a deserved equaliser.

In added on time James Hunt turned a cross goal bound but Stockdale managed to keep the ball out, with the referee pointing for a goal kick.

Darlington: Stockdale, Austin, Foster, Miller, Cummins, Parker, Kennedy, Purdie, Joachim, Abbott, Wright.

Subs: Blundell, Ndumbu-Nsungu, Liversedge, Valentine, Hodge.

Town: Barnes, Clarke, Newey, Atkinson, Bennett, Fenton, Boshell, Hunt, Bolland, Till, Butler.

Subs: Toner, Bore, Taylor, Whittle, Montgomery.

Referee: A Taylor