Darlo went back to the top of the table with a powerful 5-1 win at next-to-bottom club New Mills tonight.

However, Quakers gave their fans some anxious moments in the first half because they went a goal behind, but David Dowson’s equaliser just on half time settled everyone’s nerves.

Manager Martin Gray included youngster Matty Lovegreen in his starting line up, and another youngster, Danny Wheeler-Andrews on the subs bench.

Quakers had the edge on chances in the first 15 minutes, and went close with an effort by Graeme Armstrong, but the Derbyshire side took the lead on 20 minutes.

Quakers have made an unwelcome habit of conceding early goals, and that’s what happened when the ball was crossed from the right for James Hampson, unmarked a few yards out, to head past Peter Jameson.

And there was another scare when Mark Innes fired just wide from the edge of the box.

However, Quakers steadily regained their composure , and equalised just on half time when Ian Watson made a great run down the left and played the ball inside for David Dowson, who turned quickly and fired into the top corner of the net for his fifth league goal of the season.

On the hour mark, the pendulum swung strongly in Quakers’ favour when New Mills had defender Dominic Barrett dismissed for kicking Dowson in the head after tussling for the ball, and Quakers took immediate advantage by taking the lead from the free kick, when Tom Portas and Stephen Thompson combined for Thompson to cross for Graeme Armstrong to score from a few yards out, his 18^th league goal of the season.

Sub Nathan Cartman, on for Dowson, nearly got a third, but his shot came back off the post.

However, the third goal wasn’t long in coming. On 71 minutes, Terry Galbraith headed the ball forward for Armstrong to latch on to, beat a defender, and fire past the keeper.

The fourth goal followed four minutes later. Galbraith was again involved, playing the ball in from the left for Thompson to score with a left foot shot.

The most popular goal of the night was probably the one on 79 minutes for Nathan Cartman, who ended his mini drought by scoring from a pass by Thompson, who had robbed a defender and played the ball into the near post.

Armstrong was denied his hat trick by the crossbar, and after that, they kept full control of the game to record their first away win in four.

Quakers’ nearest challengers, Salford City, are in action tomorrow night at Prescot Cables.

Quakers are on their travels again to Warrington this Saturday.

Team: Jameson, Lovegreen, Hunter, Brown, Watson (sub Mota 81), Thompson, Portas, Scott, Galbraith (sub Wheeler-Andrews 83), Dowson (sub Cartman 63), Armstrong

Subs not used: Bell,Weldon