A 98th minute goal by former Wales International and Premier League midfielder Richard Duffy broke Darlaston's hearts as they dropped two points at home against an excellent Congleton Town side.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill was without Reece Mason, Josh Jones, Ben Podmore and Jake Pearson for this encounter against impressive new boys to the League Congleton Town.

Buoyed on by a crowd of 212 both sides played some excellent, attractive football as they prompted and probed to gain the advantage. With 160 Premier League and Championship appearances under his belt Carl Dickinson was superb at the heart of the Congleton defence. As you would expect the former Stoke City, Portsmouth and Watford player was comfortable on the ball, and his positional awareness ensured Darlaston's front two of Aaron Bishop and Louis Baker, were always under pressure on the ball.

The game was even with few chances created until Daniel Needham put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes. The visitors won the ball in midfield, a long raking pass found the winger who cut inside the area and pulled the ball back for Needham to stroke the ball home from 8 yards.

Congleton's George Sankey was lucky not to see red for a two footed lunge on Louis Baker.

Chances for both teams were hard to come by, neither keeper with a notable save to make as the battles in midfield were even and defenders generally on top.

Darlaston's equaliser came on 41 minutes, and it was a goal of supreme quality. Bishop won the ball in his own half, some superb close ball work taking him clear of the defender before playing in James Rowland, the midfielder making progress, before his slide rule pass into the path of Louis Baker saw the young striker calmly slot home beyond the advancing David Parton in the visitors goal.

On the stroke of half time Congleton were reduced to 10 men when Mackenzie Faulkner saw red for a late challenge on Baker.

Darlaston made a bright start to the second half and were in front within two minutes. Kalo Harrison's run down the right wing produced a cross into the box Bishop unable to guide his header on target. From the resultant short goal kick Williams' attempted pass, was intercepted by the head of Bishop, the ball falling to James Rowland who calmly side footed home from 18 yards leaving Parton flat footed.

For a while the goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors as Darlaston pressed forward in search of a third goal to give them some breathing space against a lively energetic and quality Congleton side. The home side were unable to take advantage of the extra man and Congleton began to assert.

As the half progressed it was Congleton who found a better rhythm in their play. As is often the case it is difficult to play against 10 men and indeed that proved to be the case as the visitors coped extremely well with their disadvantage and they had the better possession in the final half hour or so.

The game was delayed for 10 minutes when Congleton full back William Buckley suffered a nasty concussion requiring ambulance treatment.

The introduction of player/manager, former Swansea City, Portsmouth and Coventry City midfielder, Richard Duffy changed the game as his class and quality was there for all to see. His introduction strengthened the defence allowing Congleton to push forward in search of the equaliser.

Darlaston substitutes Kieron Miller and Charlie Manners both created problems for the visitors. Miller drove wide from a difficult angle whilst Manners was denied by a close offside call.

Several high balls into the penalty area were comfortably dealt with by Alex Foreshaw, Ben Priest, and keeper Will O'Sullivan. That was until the 98th minute when keeper O'Sullivan stretched for another long high ball into the penalty area, the young keeper over stretching, dropping the ball at the feet of Duffy who tapped home from 4 yards.

Following the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill said - " We have now played six games, 4 in the League and 2 in the FA Cup and every game has been a tough battle against some excellent teams. Today was no different. Congleton are a very good side, and they have two ex-Premier League and Championship players in their squad with nearly 900 football league appearances between them. That level of quality and experience is invaluable and was evident today.

I was delighted that after falling behind, we regrouped and after taking the lead early in the second half, playing against ten men, we should have seen the game out. We were unable to do that as Congleton kept pushing us back and their quality and experience paid dividends. We were in exactly the same position on Saturday against Atherstone when we were down to ten men, and we were the better side for the last half hour. It was the same again today, except we were on the receiving end. That's football though, you take the rough with the smooth, and the good with the bad.

That said we are unbeaten in our opening six games, and I have to be pleased with that. Despite the disappointment today, to take 4 points out of six, over the bank holiday weekend against two very good sides, is very pleasing."