DARLINGTON moved to within three points of the National League North play-off places after a hard-fought win over Chester.

Cedric Main scored the only goal early in the second half at Blackwell Meadows to secure a second successive win for Quakers.

Darlington had several opportunities to take the lead in the first half, as did Chester.

After just five minutes, Will McGowan got to the byline and set up Jack Maskell and Ali Alshabeeb, who both had efforts blocked, while Jack Bainbridge struck the outside of the post from just inside the Darlington area for Chester.

Quakers went close again when Cedric Main broke into the area and set up Will Hatfield, whose effort was saved to his right by Elyh Harrison.

Another chance was missed a few minutes later when McGowan got down the left and set up Maskell, who sidestepped a defender but fired over the top.

The chances kept coming, and Main cleverly turned the Chester defence about 20 yards out and set up Alshabeeb, who stepped inside but shot just past the right hand post.

Peter Jameson made a good save at his near post to prevent Reece Daly from putting Chester ahead, but at the other end Maskell beat Harrison to a Scott Barrow cross from the left, but unfortunately headed wide of the post from six yards.

Main had another effort well saved by Harrison, but right on half time, Jameson pulled off the save of the half from a 25 yarder by Mitch Hancox.

Quakers got the boost they wanted just after half time. A ross from the right by Griffiths caused problems for the Chester defence, and the ball bounced off a defender perfectly for Main to firmly sidefoot past Harrison from eight yards, his second goal of the season.

They nearly got a second, but Maskell’s effort from a left wing cross by Will Flint was saved by Harrison.

Chester tried to get back into the game and Will Hugill charged through the midfield into the Darlington area, but miscued well wide.

After Chester made three subs, they pushed Quakers back, and the home side had to make a couple of clearances inside their own area.

Darlington manager Steve Watson responded by taking off Main for Caden Kelly, and then Al Shabeeb for Cameron Salkeld. They nearly got a second when Kelly picked up a pass from McGowan, got past one defender, but a second managed to dispossess him.

Quakers had now regained control after that brief Chester flurry and they saw the game out.