DARLINGTON 1,

ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

A WEEK is a long time in football. After losing to Burton and Bradford in successive weeks, Aldershot had dropped back to mid-table and looked out of contention for the play-offs.

A week later, having beaten Shrewsbury and Darlington in the space of four days, the Shots find themselves within a point of seventh-placed Northampton, both having played 37 matches.

Aldershot showed grit and character against Shrewsbury. Rock-bottom Darlington were less formidable on Tuesday night, but Aldershot had to find inspiration in the soulless, sparsely populated Northern Echo Arena to give a performance and come away with the points.

They did so, and it was job done after first-half goals from Aaron Brown – his first for the club – and Marvin Morgan, Darlington's reply coming with only five minutes to go.

Aldershot had to be wary. Darlington chairman Raj Singh dismissed Steve Staunton last Sunday and managerless teams have a habit of bouncing back.

No wonder, then, that manager Kevin Dillon declared it to be Aldershot's best win of the season. "It was a great result and in the conditions as well, I thought we deserved it in the end. We were hanging on a little bit and they were getting the ball forward.

"We looked dangerous at set-pieces all night. The players were over the moon in the dressing-room. There's a real togetherness now."

A crowd of 1,296 created little atmosphere in a ground that can hold 25,000, but Darlington – surely heading for the Blue Square Premier – made a lively start in front of caretaker boss Craig Liddle and Mikhael Jaimes-Ruiz made early saves from Gary Dempsey and Gary Smith.

Aldershot, however, looked at home on the heavy surface after Saturday's experience. Oliver Bozanic and Scott Donnelly had snappy efforts well saved by Shane Redmond and the visitors followed up with the vital first goal on 25 minutes.

Donnelly's free-kick deflected off defender Alan White against the post and the rebound fell nicely for Brown who had a mere tap-in.

Darlington fought back gamely and Gareth Waite's acrobatic effort brought a superb one-handed stop from Ruiz. Brown made a crucial block soon after.

Four minutes before half-time, Aldershot effectively put the game to bed. Ben Herd sent Marlon Jackson on a pacy run down the right before cutting in and crossing into the path of Morgan who guided the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

With a two-goal cushion, Aldershot were happy to soak up the pressure in the second half and threaten on the break.

Redmond did well to tip a deflected Bozanic shot over the bar and, from the resulting corner, Brown almost got on the end of Anthony Charles' flicked header.

Darlington, who had made a double substitution at half-time, showed plenty of endeavour. Josh Gray, one of the replacements, was just high with a powerful drive and fellow sub Curtis Main wasted a good headed chance.

Aldershot had plenty of defending to do, and did it well before finally conceding on 85 minutes.

Paul Arnison, recalled to the side after falling out with Staunton, poked the ball in from very close range.

Aldershot looked vulnerable for almost the first time and, deep into time added on, Waite hit a fierce shot that deflected off one of his own players and flashed just wide of the goal.

Aldershot: Jaimez-Ruiz, Herd, Straker, Blackburn, Brown, Charles (Soares 75), Harding, Bozanic, Morgan (Hylton 81), Donnelly, Jackson (Spencer 75). Subs (not used): Young, Howell, Hudson, Riza. Booked: Morgan, Spencer.

Darlington: Redmond, Arnison, White, Milne, Miller, Dempsey (Main 46), Smith, Waite, Moore, Purcell, Diop (Gray 46). Subs (not used): Liversedge, Madden, Burn, Groves, Convery. Booked: White, Waite, Gray.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Attendance: 1,296.

* Aldershot travel to sixth-placed Bury this Saturday.