TOMMY WRIGHT was denied a win in his final game as Darlington manager, a late Leamington leveller at Blackwell Meadows seeing Quakers end the season with a 1-1 draw.

They announced on Friday evening that his 18-month tenure would come to an end following the match, citing results as being a major factor in the decision.

He was heading for a good result at Blackwell Meadows thanks to Jordan Nicholson’s goal on 44 minutes.

He rifled home from a central position around 16 yards out after Stephen Thompson’s pass.

It was Nicholson’s 11th goal of the season, putting him one ahead of Thompson and enough to become the club’s top scorer.

It was one of a handful of chances Darlington created in the first 45 minutes they had the better of and deservedly led at the break.

They were on top for a large section of the second half, and Leamington goalkeeper Tony Breeden made a handful of saves to keep his team in the contest.

He kept out efforts from outside the penalty area by both Thompson and Nicholson, while defender Junior English threw himself at a Nicholson shot to block during a stage of Darlington dominance.

However, Quakers paid the price for not taking their chances, typical of this season, when Bishop side-footed in his 22nd goal of the season.

It came on 78 minutes after a good work by substitute Elliott Hodge, who picked him out with a low cross from the left.

The result means Darlington finish 16th, three places beneath Leamington and four positions worse off than one year ago.

Goals: Nicholson (44, 1-0); Bishop (78, 1-1

Bookings: Clarke (62, foul)

Referee: Samuel Barrott (Huddersfield)

Attendance: 1,145

Darlington: Turner; Trotman, Ainge, Galbraith (K Elliott), Jackson; Holness, T Elliott; Wheatley (Stansfield 88); Thompson, Saunders (Lingthep 90), Nicholson. Subs not used: Hall (gk), Morrison

Leamington: Breeden; English, Hood (Flanagan 66), Mace, Lane; Murphy, Clarke (Parker 77), Edwards, Wilding, Taylor (Hodge 68); Bishop. Subs not used: Hood, Obeng