Leamington 2 Darlington 3

We've seen some special moments from Stephen Thompson over the years, but many of them won't be as important as the stoppage time winner at Leamington.

Quakers were trailing 2-1 in the second half against ten men, when Thommo scored a great equaliser, but his left footed  winner was a moment of magic deep into stoppage time.

The goal gave Quakers only their second away league win of the season, and their first of the calendar year.

Leamington had the first attempt at goal in the first minute, a 35 yarder by Jack Edwards that went well wide.

Quakers broke through on 8 minutes. The ball came in from the right, Styche stepped over it, and Greg Mills flicked the ball on, and Styche was pulled down as he went for the return by a defender.

. The ref pointed to the spot, from where Thompson sent the keeper the wrong way for his fourth of the season.

Gary Brown then needed treatment after seemingly being elbowed when a high ball went into the Darlo box, and he was quite annpyed about the challenge, letting the referee know.

Leamington replied when the ball was played in to Daniel Udoh in the box, he turned quickly but his shot lacked power and Pears saved easily.

Leamington levelled on 17 minutes when the ref deemed that Brown’s challenge on Obeng was too high in the box, and he pointed to the spot. Callum Gittings drove the ball low to the left, Pears got his hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.

Quakers made a sub on 24 minutes when Gary Brown and was replaced by David Syers.

Leamington had a chance when Junior English headed over, but at the other end, Styche headed a right wing corner on to the roof of the net.

Pears then pulled off a good save from a low right foot diagnoal shot by Edwards, touching the ball around the post.

Leamington were then reduced to ten men when Clarke was shown his second yellow for a foul on Syers, his second foul in 10 minutes.

On 43 minutes Quaker then patiently built up on the left, and Thompson set up Joe Wheatley, who pulled his shot wide.

But Edwards was always a danger for Leamington, and he hit another low shot from 25 yards that flew just wide.

Half time: Leamington 1 Darlington 1

Quakers missed a great chance at the start of the second half when Mills crossed into the middle from the left, and Styche, coming in eight yards out, headed just over.

Wheatley then picked out Syers with a great ball up the left, but Syers' pull back was just ahead of Styche.

Heaton was then inches away to connecting onto a inswinging free kick from the left by Mills.

Quakers' pressure was maybe beginning to tell, but the goal came at the other end.

A long ball by Breeden caught Quakers out, allowing Udoh to run through and Pears did well to block his shot. And Leamington scored from the corner when Edwards rose high on the six yard line and headed in.

Quakers then made two subs, Turnbull and Caton coming on for Scott and Mills.

Sub James Caton, on for mills, nearly equalised when he did well to work an opening and hit a fierce shot that Breeden parried.

But Quakers levelled on 73 minutes, when Thompson picked the ball up on the right, powered his way into the box, and beat the keeper with a powerful cross shot into the bottom corner.

Quakers had a great chance to win it when Caton split the defence with a great pass for Syers to go through 1 v 1, but Breeden saved Syers’ effort.

Syers had another chance when he picked up the ball in the inside right position, and fired narrowly wide.

But then came the matchwinning moment in the second minute of stoppage time, Caton burst up the left, and crossed into the middle for Thompson to fire home left footed into the bottom corner!!! It was the first Darlo hat trick away from home since Graeme Armstrong scored a hat trick that night at Whitby.

Celebrations!

Pears, Brown (sub Syers 24), Heaton, Galbraith, O’Hanlon, Trotman, Wheatley, Scott (sub Turnbull 62), Thompson, Styche, Mills (sub Caton 62)

Subs not used: Bancroft, Gillies

Leamington include former Darlo midfielder Joe Clarke:

Breeden, Mace, Gudger, Clarke, Hood, English, Dunbar, Gittings, Udoh (sub Magunda 79), Edwards, Obeng

Subs: Felix, Canavan, Magunda,Revan, Moore

Pears, Brown, Heaton, Galbraith, O’Hanlon, Trotman, Wheatley, Scott, Thompson, Styche, Mills

Subs: Turnbull, Bancroft, Gillies, Syers, Caton

Leamington include former Darlo midfielder Joe Clarke:

Breeden, Mace, Gudger, Clarke, Hood, English, Dunbar, Gittings, Udoh, Edwards, Obeng

Subs: Felix, Canavan, Magunda, Revan, Moore