Darlaston moved up to 6th spot in the Midland Football League Premier Division with a hard-fought win against a very good Stone side who had already beaten league leaders Studley Town, as well as high riding Shifnal and taken a point off new league leaders Congleton Town.

Despite torrential rain over the previous 48 hours the Paycare Stadium pitch was in pristine condition, both sides, at times playing neat attractive football in front of an impressive crowd,

The home side continued where they left off on Wednesday night, following their ten-goal haul against Rugby Borough and were in front after just three minutes with a high quality goal. Ryan Winwood's incisive pass found James Rowland, who played the ball into the path of Rivel Mardenborough, he in turn slipped the ball inside the defender for Aaron Bishop to outsmart his defender and convert from 15 yards beyond keeper Raj Gill.

Darlaston doubled their lead on 21 minutes. Jack Downing was brought down 25 yards out. Lewis Gill's rasping free kick was parried by keeper Gill, Mardenborough was first to react and slotted home the rebound from 6 yards.

At this stage Darlaston were on top, having much the better of possession and forward play but Stone were by no means out of the game. Former Leek Town striker Jack Tomlinson was impressive on the ground and with his flicked headers, whilst full back Joe Baxter was causing plenty of trouble with his runs down the right flank.

Darlaston had chances to add to their lead, Mardenborough, Bishop and Downing all having shots saved or blocked by some superb defending by Josh Sedgley and Louis Anthony.

Stone got a foothold back in the game on 39 minutes with a top-quality goal. A raking 40-yard pass from Sedgley was taken with a superb first touch by Baxter, the full back pulled the ball back from the touchline into the path of Tomlinson who clipped home for 8 yards.

Whilst Darlaston had the better of the first half, it was Stone who were more impressive in the second half. Tomlinson and William Bailey continued to combine superbly, Baxter continued to impress whilst Goldstraw and Sedgley at the heart of the defence kept a close watch on Bishop and Mardenborough.

Despite having the better of the possession, Stone found clear chances hard to come by as the Darlaston defence stood firm, keeper Brad Clarkson clearing up the loose ends without being unduly troubled to make a save of note.

As Stone pushed forward, they left themselves open to the counterattack Mardenborough and Bishop both having half chances to increase the lead, neither troubled keeper Gill as their efforts both went wide.

A superb clearance by Josh Jones denied Baxter a strike at goal, whilst the continued threat of Tomlinson ensured Darlaston defended stoutly putting their bodies on the line to keep out the impressive Stone attack. Both sides forced late corners, but they came to nothing, substitute Ablewhite headed over the bar for Stone, but they could not breach a resolute home defence as Darlaston made it seven points from their last nine.

Following the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill reflected- " Full respect to Stone Old Alleynians today. I believe the Division is much stronger this season, it is relentless and if you drop by even the smallest of margins, you will get beat. Stone could easily have crumbled after going two goals down in 21 minutes, but they didn't, by the same score they will be upset that they didn't get a point. I thought they were well organised and whilst we had an excellent opening 30 minutes, for the last hour or so they were very good and posed a real threat. I thought their front two were superb and the young full back was very good. They were strong all over the park.

We made an excellent start and looked in control, but we panicked a little when we conceded. Instead of playing the ball out we started to lump it forward and gave it away too easily, that is not our game, and we lost our way a little. It is probably not surprising, as we have lost a two-goal lead on three occasions this season, and mentally, I think that plays on the players’ minds. Stone were good enough and strong enough to put us under the cosh at times, but we stuck at it, didn't concede again and I am pleased with that element of our game.

That said, I thought we looked very good for the first 30 minutes or so, and whilst we were not at our best after their goal, we were resilient and defensively held strong. James Rowland and Liam Wilkinson were excellent in midfield, and we could have snuck a third goal. Both ourselves and Stone will play worse than that and win and play better and lose. That is football and we just have to live with it. Sometimes winning ugly is all you can do".