DARLINGTON'S Third Division future hangs in the balance after they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 and slipped a place to 20th at Southend yesterday.

Three second-half goals capped a remarkable recovery from the Shrimpers after Quakers looked poised for maximum points after leading through Danny Graham and Ryan Valentine.

The fightback meant for the sixth time this season Quakers lost despite having taken the lead - more than any other side in the division - after a woeful second half display which was capped by Joey Hutchinson's dismissal for a professional foul.

The defeat leaves Quakers four points above the relegation zone but by tonight the gap could be reduced to three as second-bottom York are at home to Bury and boss David Hodgson stormed: "We were an absolute shambles.

"Even when we were 2-0 up we didn't deserve it.

"We could not kid ourselves even when we had that lead.

"We were like a bunch of kids running about. It was absolutely ridiculous.

"I knew that if they got an early goal in the second half we would be under the cosh. That is exactly what happened and it wasn't really much of a surprise that we lost it.

"Today was a total lack of professionalism."

Despite Southend's early dominance it was Quakers who took a sixth minute lead through on-loan Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham.

The 18-year-old was the first to react to Barry Conlon's scuffed effort, slotting the ball past Darryl Flahaven from eight yards, to claim his first goal for the club.

But Southend, who have eased their own relegation worries with just one defeat in their last nine games, kept their composure despite their early setback and continued to look dangerous on the break.

And after Brian Close was booked for the throwing the ball away, Drew Broughton pounced on Nicky Nicolau's resulting free-kick only to be denied by the feet of Quakers keeper Michael Price.

But it was the aftermath which caused controversy as Broughton appeared to throw a punch towards defender Hutchinson.

However, Butler failed to spot the incident, and Broughton walked free.

With 26 minutes played Matt Clarke was penalised for a foul on Tes Bramble - brother of Newcastle defender Titus - Nicolau should have done better when he blazed over under pressure from Conlon.

And it was the Irishman who earned his side a 33rd minute penalty.

Returning to his former Roots Hall home, the former Southend striker turned past Mark Warren in the box, only to be tripped by the Shrimpers defender.

Butler had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Ryan Valentine despatched the spot-kick past Flahaven for his first goal of the season.

With half-time approaching Bramble should have reduced the deficit when his weak effort was charged down by the Quakers defence.

And after skipper Neil Maddison upended Mark Gower in injury time, the winger laid the resulting set-piece off for Mark Bentley, whose rasping effort was brilliantly tipped over by Price.

However, there was nothing the Quakers keeper could do when Mark Bentley pulled a goal back with just 32 seconds of the second half played.

Broughton's initial effort was charged down and Bentley followed up with a first-time shot into the top corner.

Bentley's early strike made it interesting, the Shrimpers pushed forward for an equaliser.

Broughton should have levelled on 55 minutes when he directed his header wide before Bramble blazed an effort over moments later.

Southend continued to dictate play as Quakers hung on to their slender lead.

On 67 minutes Bramble wasted another opportunity when he headed wide from Leon Constantine's dangerous cross.

However, Quakers finally succumbed to the pressure five minutes later when Hutchinson conceded a penalty.

Broughton timed his run into the box to perfection from Bentley's through-ball only to be brought down by Hutchinson who was red-carded for a professional foul. Darlington's 11th dismissal - the joint most in the Football League this season along with Huddersfield - means Hutchinson will miss the last home game of the season on May 1 against Swansea.

Constantine stepped up to place the ball past Price and level for Southend.

Ten-man Quakers were unlucky not to regain their advantage soon after the restart as substitute Neil Teggart's low drive was tipped wide by Flahaven.

But there was only going to be one winner and Gower capped a remarkable comeback when he beat three defenders, before planting into the top corner of the net with five minutes remaining.

Result: Southend United 3 Darlington 2.

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