The visitors got off to the worst possible start conceding 2 goals in the opening 8 minutes. Tipton were quick out of the blocks and keeper Aaaron Morris was called into immediate action with an excellent save denying Worsey in the first minute. Tipton took the lead two minutes later when poor defending allowed Ebey Marango to tap the ball home from close range. Darlo were at sixes and sevens and were again found wanting in the 7th minute when the home side doubled their lead Agyemang heading home a Davies cross.

Despite these setbacks the never say die attitude of the new look Darlo team urged on by a large travelling contingent hauled themselves back into the game. On 10 minutes when Scott Broadway slotted home from 10 yards converting Hayden Hughes superb left wing cross. Just 2 minutes later the game was all square , Broadway again on the mark capitalising on some poor defensive play to squeeze the ball under keeper Morgan from 15 yards.

Following 4 goals in the opening 12 minutes both sides began to settle down demonstrating the quality and skill which has seen both make an unbeaten start to the season. The pace of Agyemang, Marango and Davies was causing difficulties for the visitors whilst the work rate and guile of former Darlaston midfielder Sam Hesson was impressive. Morris was called upon to make two comfortable saves from Agyemang and Davies..

Darlo had by now regained their composure Luke Charlton impressing in an unaccustomed left back role whilst Hughes, Giles and Broadway were a continuous threat on the home goal. Ricky Kelly had a glorious opportunity to put the visitors head but failed to connect properly with a 6 yard header which went tamely wide.

On 51 minutes Broadway became the second Darlo player to complete his hat trick this season when he took advantage of hesitancy in the home defence to break clear and calmly slot beyond keeper Morgan. The visitors made it four unanswered goals in the space of 45 minutes when the hard working Hayden Hughes was rewarded with a goal his play deserved in the 55th minute, an attempted clearance hitting the striker some 12 yards out , stranding keeper Morgan and sending the large travelling contingent into raptures.

Tipton are not top of the table for nothing and their fighting spirit emerged , urged on by skipper Henley and the midfield probings of Hesson and Collins. It was Hesson who temporarily clawed his team back into the game , stealing in unmarked at the back post to slot home a left wing Agyemang cross from 12 yards. The visitors response was immediate and they restored their two goal advantage through Ant Follows. A speculative cross come shot from 35 yards eluded everyone and to the surprise of Follows the ball eventually nestling in the back of the net.

Both sides created chances but with just 11 minutes remaining a thrilling finale was guaranteed when some excellent play by Davies brought his team back into the game, the young striker dribbling past two Darlaston defenders before superbly slotting home beyond keeper Morris.

As you would expect from a quality side Tipton pushed forward in search of the equaliser. With the game approaching injury time Tipton threw the kitchen sink at Darlaston and their efforts were rewarded with a last ditch Connor Asbury equaliser to give his side a share of the spoils.

Overall a fair result. Tipton will probably be disappointed that they didn't capitalise on their tremendous start whilst Darlo will also be kicking themselves that they couldn't hold on after scoring four unanswered goals.

Darlaston now have a sixteen day break returning to action at the Paycare Ground on Saturday 9th September against Worcester Raiders kick off 3 pm

Neil Chambers