Micky Cummins was the first player in the book after a foul on Frecklington despite the referee ignoring it before City protests. From the free kick, City finally got a shot on target when the ball was laid off to Mayo but his shot was blocked before reaching the goal. Armstrong should have put the visitors ahead but his shot went wide of the target. Keltie’s goal bound shot took a heavy deflection and went out for the corner, from that the ball went over everyone before Armstrong swung the ball back in and a player just missed a back hell that would have sent it into the net.

Leon Mettam, who had been ineffective until this point in his first start at Sincil Bank, was then booked for challenging the goalkeeper from City’s best chance of the half. He was shoved by Brian Close as a fight nearly broke out, the Darlington man was then booked for his actions. It was 2 bookings for Darlo just a minute later when again, the referee ignored a challenge on Stallard from behind until City’s fans objected, then he went from playing on to giving a free kick and a yellow card to Darren Holloway.

The half was coming to an end when Darlington won their 4^th corner. The ball was floated in and Marriott punched the ball backwards, it put the post and flew back towards Darren Holloway and he had the simple task of tapping in from less than a yard out to give Darlington a deserved lead. That was the final noteworthy action of the half.

Mettam wasted a good opportunity from the kick off of the second half as he blasted over after failing to take his time. Mayo had City’s second shot on target after Forrester played the ball to him but again, a defender got in the way. Darlington could have had a penalty minutes later when Paul Morgan fouled Johnson and it appeared to be in the area but the referee gave it outside the box, not that it made much different anyway. The original kick was blocked before Micky Cummins shot from just outside the area and the ball found it’s way into the net.

Leon Mettam left the pitch to virtual silence after fans weren’t impressed with his lacklustre first start for the Imps and he was replaced by Ryan Semple, playing his first game in months because of injury. Morgan again gave away a free kick in a decent position but was lucky that this one was wasted. Perhaps it was no coincedence that since Morgan returned from injury off the bench a few weeks ago, City’s defence has gone to pieces and it was a complete cock-up that gifted Darlo their 3^rd. Former Northampton striker, Martin Smith sent a ball into the box and the defence couldn’t clear and Johnson was able to strike home from a few years out. City’s fans already started leaving the ground.

Johnson could have scored the 4^th a few minutes later but his shot saw Marriott make his first save of the afternoon, typically it came at 3-0 down. Beevers and Morgan entered the book within a minute of each other and it was the foul from Morgan that saw Darlo almost extend their lead further but Marriott again kept them out.

City’s first shot on target of the second half finally saw City get on the score sheet when Semple crossed the ball along the floor and Mayo blasted it into the goal to send what remained of City’s crowds into a sarcastic cheer. Conlon and Joachim replaced Armstrong and Johnson.

Jamie Forrester then had a glorious chance to bring City right back into the game when with just minutes left, Nat Brown skipped past a few defenders before playing the ball across goal, Forrester however couldn’t score despite having a near open goal to work with, the first shot he’s had since scoring the winner against Swindon nearly a month ago. Joachim had the game’s final chance but it was well kept out by Marriott before the game petered out to a close and it was City’s first 3-1 home defeat since Torquay back in January 2004.