Within 11.13 seconds of kick off Darlaston's confidence was boosted when they were awarded a penalty. From the Casuals kick off the ball was played into the Darlaston half and was met by a powerful Josh Jones header, which eluded Harry Rogers, as Rivel Mardenborough burst in the box he was felled from behind by Rogers in what must be one of the quickest penalty kicks awarded in the League.

Unfortunately, Darlaston could not take advantage, James Rowland's spot kick saved by keeper Stan Amos low to his left.

Casuals had a penalty appeal turned down but in in all honesty that was the best action of the first half. Neither side could assert on a tacky surface, with defences on top and clear chances few and far between. Former Rushall Olympic and Darlaston striker Stan Mugisha and former Alvechurch striker Colin Smith both impressed for Casuals, but they were unable to penetrate the central defensive partnership of Alex Foreshaw and Ben Podmore. Whilst at the other end Aaron Bishop and Mardenborough were lively without creating any clear opportunities.

Darlaston finished the half strongly with Mardenborough, Bishop and Downing all having efforts blocked or cleared. The teams entered the interval goalless, Darlaston had the better of the possession but were unable to find the net.

That all changed two minutes after the break, Darlaston taking the lead. A clearance by keeper Will O'Sullivan deep into the Casuals half caught Rogers in two minds, his attempted headed back pass falling short of keeper Amos, Bishop pounced to round keeper Amos and slot home from an acute angle.

For Casuals Mugisha shot high over the bar from 12 yards, Darlaston started to assert briefly forcing three successive corners. From the third, Podmore glanced home from Lewis Gill's inswinging right side corner.

Now with a two-goal cushion, Darlaston relaxed and started to play some neat football but again chances were few and far between, neither side creating a chance of note.

Darlaston looked in little danger until a mad two minutes saw Casuals score twice, entirely as a result of Darlaston's own indecision at the back. On 74 minutes Kamren Smith sent a high hopeful ball towards the visitors penalty area, a moment of indecision by Podmore and O'Sullivan allowed Chad Degville Cross to nip in and give Casuals a lifeline slotting home from an acute angle.

Within a minute of the restart, keeper O'Sullivan was penalised for picking up a "back pass", which appeared to be kicked by a Casuals player. From the resulting free kick, the ball was played to Colin Smith who drilled home from 12 yards.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill could not hide his disappointment after the game. He reflected " We knew it would be tough today. Cassies were excellent when they beat us in the League Cup recently and after they beat AFC Wulfs six last week their confidence was sky high. Savo (Cassies manager) has assembled a very useful side who are improving week by week, so we were under no illusions today. The penalty miss after just 11 seconds was of course disappointing, as it would have given us great impetus but at this level it is all about minimising your mistakes. Three of today's four goals came from defensive errors. The two we conceded were very poor and entirely as a result of indecision and poor communication on our part. The really disappointing thing is, we are usually very good communicators at the back, and we were today, but for a mad couple of minutes when we were indecisive, and it cost us two points.

In just ten league games we have now lost ten points from winning positions fairly late in the game. That is not acceptable to me, the players or the supporters who came again today in big numbers. It is easier said than done but we will strive to reduce those mistakes and turn draws into wins."