A record attendance of 786 at The Paycare Stadium saw Darlaston progress to the Midland League Division One Playoff Final at the expense of Black Country rivals Dudley Town.

Both teams went into the one-legged semi final in good form, Dudley unbeaten in their last 6 and fresh from a 4 -0 home win over fellow playoff contenders Ashby Ivanhoe, whilst Darlaston's only league defeat in 19 was at home against Ashby.

The game started at an intense pace, both sides eager not to concede first resulting in a cat and mouse start, in perfect footballing conditions. The huge crowd treated to football of the highest quality.

It was Darlaston who took the lead on 23 minutes through the Division's top goalscorer Andy Nicol. A superb floated pass from Jake Pearson found Kieran Cook who beat a defender to cross, across the face of goal where Nicol stole in unmarked to tap home from a yard.

On 34 minutes Darlaston doubled their lead as Nicol netted his 38th goal of the season. A cross-field pass by Cook found Nicol some 35 yards out, the prolific marksman, beat his marker to unleash an unstoppable shot high to keeper Alex Graham's left from just inside the penalty area.

Mitch Lawley, Todd Perry, and Dan Jones impressed for Dudley whilst the workrate and energy of Harvey Dangerfield and Jake Pearson for Darlaston was exceptional, supplementing the guile and silky skills of Ryan Winwood and Tom Turton.

Darlaston extended their lead on 55 minutes. A Winwood corner was only partially cleared to Jake Pearson out on the left flank, Pearson's cross was headed back by Nicol into the path of Tom Turton who volleyed home from 18 yards.

The game settled largely in midfield although Dudley pushed forward in the hope of getting a goal to get them back into the game but neither side looked to trouble the opposition goalkeeper.

Dudley were reduced to 10 men on 73 minutes when central defender Ashley Smith was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Darlaston added a fourth in stoppage time when England Schoolboy International Jeevan Purewal won the ball a yard in his own half, his speed across the ground taking him clear of the Dudley defence before he shot high into the roof of the net from 15 yards.

The win means that Darlaston now face Derbyshire based Stapenhill this Saturday in the play off final for a place in Step 5 of the National League System. Stapenhill finished third on goal difference behind Darlaston and beat Leicestershire based Ashby Ivanhoe 4-2 in the other playoff semi final on Tuesday night.

The game this Saturday is at The Paycare Stadium, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA Kick Off is 3.00 pm. A large crowd is expected and with the M6 Junction 10 closed spectators are asked to arrive early so as to ease congestion and parking. Gates open at 1.00 pm.