Darlington's under-18s side are just one win away from clinching the league title, writes Craig Stoddart.

Following a 3-0 win over Lincoln at the Racecourse in Durham on Saturday morning, the youth team will win Football League Youth Alliance North-East Conference if they beat Bradford next month.

Hartlepool United were the nearest challengers, but they lost 4-3 at home to Grimsby, a result which sees them leapfrogged by Scunthorpe who are four points behind Quakers with two games remaining.

Pool, beaten by Darlington in both league games and a league cup fixture this season, still have a chance of claiming the top spot but must win both of their remaining matches, and then hope Quakers lose their last four and then rely on having a better goal difference.

Darlington have been beaten only once in the league, conceding 11 goals in 14 matches but are now without a fixture until January 15 when Martin Gray will take his side to second-bottom Bradford looking to claim the title with games to spare.