Quakers' kids to face Magpies

There may be question marks over the club's future, but by beating Shrewsbury Town 2-0 at The Northern Echo Arena the talented teenagers have reached the third round of the competition for the second successive campaign.

Last season they lost at the third round stage to Arsenal in a game played at Barnet's Underhill ground. But next month's game, to be played week commencing December 12, will take place at St James' Park which is a fitting reward for a team that have now won seven matches in a row.

The club's head of youth Craig Liddle, a Newcastle supporter since childhood, is looking forward to taking his team to Tyneside.

“I was a season ticket holder when I was a youngster, and I still go to games now when I can,” said Liddle, speaking to nufc.co.uk.

“So for me it's going to be a fantastic occasion as well. I'll enjoy the night – they've got a fantastic set-up there so we'll just go and enjoy it and do the best we can.”

It was a thoroughly-deserved victory for Liddle's side who were on top for much of last night's tie, especially during a first half in which they created several chances.

Liddle added: “In the first half we played some good football. It took us ten or 15 minutes to get going, but once we got into our stride we looked okay and with a little bit more composure in front of goal we could've had three or four goals before half-time.

“We hit the woodwork once and had more than enough chances to have had the game sewn-up.”

After a scrappy opening, Darlington took control with striker Chris Dickinson firing a hopeful effort from long-range over before pacey right-winger Danny Lambert took centre-stage with three chances coming his way.

First he thundered a shot against the post after a corner had not been cleared sufficiently, then he latched on to Rob Ramshaw's raking pass out wide and beat the full-back, only to see his shot roll inches wide.

Then just before half time Lambert struck a splendidly hit volley from 25 yards that Shrewsbury keeper Callum Bukton did well to push over the bar, and from the resulting corner Tom Bott had a shot blocked on the line.

It had been one-way traffic in the closing stages of the first period, but the goal that Darlington deserved did not come until 13 minutes into the second half, Dickinson getting on the scoresheet.

It was a simply worked goal. Ramshaw's free-kick from deep was headed back across goal by centre-back Scott Mould and the unmarked Dickinson was on hand to tap into an empty net.

With the Shrews battling for an equaliser, they put up stubborn resistance, managing to get men forward and putting Darlington's defence under pressure.

But goalkeeper Jordan Nixon, a Teessider, though he used to play for the Shrewsbury team, was well protected by the defence at the heart of which Scott Harrison and Mould were solid.

The visitors did manage to squeeze one shot in, but after twisting and turning into position Kane Cork's effort was diverted wide, and with two minutes to go substitute Cameron Broadway rashly lashed the ball over when the ball fell kindly to him close to goal.

That was an escape for Darlington who sealed victory in injury-time, Tom Robson netting with a neat finish into the corner after a solo run through the heart of Shrewsbury defence.

The 15-year-old deserved the goal having been one of the team's stand-out players. He played just behind Dickinson having emerged from the bench after an early injury to Ryan Burton, but Shrewsbury struggled to stop him.

Robson's goal completed the scoring in what was the team's fifth success in the competition this season having previously over comecome Gateshead (3-0), Chester-le-Street (4-0), Altrincham (3-0) and Sheffield (7-1), making last night their lowest scoring win so far.

But the win was no less merited and the players' celebrations made it clear how much the victory meant.

Liddle added: “In the second half we didn't play as fluently as we can, but we took our chances and I don't think anyone could argue that we weren't the better side.

“It's a big thing for the lads. There's a few Newcastle supporters in there – and a few Sunderland supporters – so for them to go and get the opportunity to play on that stage is fantastic and the lads were absolutely thrilled to bits in the dressing room when we came off the pitch.

“We're looking forward to it. It's going to be a great occasion for this football club to go there, so we'll go and enjoy it.”

Goals: Dickinson (58, 1-0), Robson (90, 2-0)

Bookings: None

Referee: M McDonough

Attendance: 290

Darlington (4-4-2): Nixon; Snook, Harrison, Mould, Ferguson; Lambert, Ramshaw (Weatherald 90), Bott, Barton (Bell 72); Dickinson, Burton (Robson 17). Subs (not used): Brass, Crust

Shrewsbury Town (4-5-1): Bukton; Armstrong, Recci, Smith, Westray; Ryan (Stephenson 80), Woods, Holyoak (Broadway 54), Turner, Roberts (Seabrook 67); Cork. Subs (not used): Musselwhite, Holmes