DARLINGTON stayed in fifth place in the National League North table after taking a point from a goalless draw at Banbury this evening.

Alun Armstrong's side were denied all three points by the woodwork and a stoppage-time save by home keeper Jack Harding.

The first chance of any real note came on 11 minutes when Jacob Hazel was fouled about 25 yards out, and Ben Liddle whipped the free-kick across the penalty area without anyone able to get a touch.

But soon after Liddle went off injured, and had to be replaced by sub Nathan Newall, whose first action was to race up the left and put in a good cross that Banbury defender Jay Williams headed over his own crossbar.

Quakers quickly won another corner on the opposite side, and Kaine Felix whipped the ball into the six-yard box where Harding made a point-blank save from Hazel.

Banbury briefly threatened with an effort by Callum Reilly that was deflected wide, then left winger Ben Acquaye fired well over the top from 25 yards.

Quakers nearly took the lead just before half-time when Jassem Sukar crossed into the near post, and Harding just managed to get to the ball ahead of Jacob Blyth.

Then, just on half-time, Hazel set up Blyth 25 yards out, and the new signing’s right-foot shot beat the keeper all ends up, but unfortunately for him and Darlington, came back off the crossbar.

The impressive Newall had a shot blocked for a corner at the start of the second half, while at the other end, Jake Cooper deflected an Acquaye effort into the side-netting.

Felix then made a good run up the left and tried to set up Hazel, but Hazel was tackled by Williams at a vital moment.

Banbury brought on Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, and his first touch was a left-foot shot that went over the bar.

Quakers made their second sub on 75 minutes, when Hazel went off and Andrew Nelson came on.

Banbury won a free-kick on 78 minutes on the corner of the box which Landers drove towards the bottom corner, but Taylor pushed the ball around the post.

Quakers were reduced to ten men on 87 minutes when Cooper deliberately tripped Acquaye, and was shown his second yellow – Quakers’ first red card this season.

But they nearly won it in stoppage time when Newall set up Nelson, and his low right-foot shot was pushed around the post by Harding.