LEE HALL, who reports on the Quakers for The Northern Echo, recounts one of the most memorable games of his life - from the pitch

MAKE no mistake. This was one to tell the grandchildren. Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle, Kenny Dalglish and . . . Lee Hall.

Like an eager schoolboy, I jumped at the chance of lining up in the second game when the call came fom Darlington manager David Hodgson.

I settled for a place on the bench, but with the likes of Peter Beardsley and Gazza ahead of me in the pecking order, who could argue?

An entertaining first half saw former Feethams favourites Sean Gregan and Robbie Blake pulling the strings for the play-off side, while Gazza staged his own inimitable show.

As the half-time whistle was blown it was "gaffer" Hodgson who brought me on for Quakers legend, Kevan Smith, to partner Middlesbrough old boy Steve Vickers in defence.

My first contribution of the game was to send a shot straight at Mike Pollitt. Either side and it was a goal as the 14,000-plus crowd ooed. What a chance.

However, the next incident I was involved in even had defensive partner Vickers wincing as I mistimed my challenge on Blake. There was certainly no intention in it and the ex-Quaker, now at Burnley, accepted my profuse apology.

But even with Vickers keeping me in line and regional TV sports presenter Jeff Brown bossing the right flank, there was nothing we could do when Steve Gaughan floated over a delightful free-kick and in to the back of the net, past ex-teammate Mark Prudhoe.

However, the last laugh was left for Gazza as he got on his hands and knees to head over the line and score our seventh, to wrap up a memorable afternoon and more importantly secure the future of Darlington Football Club - for the next couple of months at least.