As the season comes to the business end with vital points still to play for this game epitomised the saying "points are more important than performance". Darlaston produced a distinctly average performance running out 2-0 winners. Whilst the performance was well below par the 3 points maintains their position in the top six and with other clubs around them dropping points, it turned out to be a good day for Andy Parkes' squad

Darlaston made a good start Lucas Hough and Martin Stanton both sent headers wide, a well struck Sam Giles volley was well wide of joe Williams' goal. Danny Mayne also had an effort saved by home keeper Joe Williams and moments later he missed the target with an acrobatic effort.

Wyrley responded with Chris Geldart and Scott Gill both impressing but the home side were restricted to long range efforts, wing back Ollie Butler having three efforts in the opening 20 minutes, two comfortably saved by keeper Aaron Morris and one wide of the post.

On an uneven playing surface both sides failed to keep the ball with stray passes and niggling fouls being the order of the day. leading to bookings for Wyrley's Ryan Wilkins and Reis Nadat. Sam Giles and Tyrone Clarke O'Connell both beat their full backs on several occasions but were guilty of over hitting their crosses to the frustration of Leon Taylor and Danny Mayne waiting in the penalty area.

Darlaston broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. The build-up play was good with Clarke-O’Connell breezing past his defender, his partly blocked cross found Danny Mayne on the corner of the penalty area, his half-hit shot eluded the Wyrley defenders to find Sam Giles unmarked at the far post. Giles eventually managed to get the ball under control to finish with a crisp right foot shot past keeper Williams.

The visitors had a great chance to double their lead in the 44th minute Danny Mayne was sent clear 35 yards out and has he made progress on goal keeper Williams advanced to the edge of his box, Mayne's lob lacked the necessary power and loft, keeper Williams saving well to keep the half time score 0-1.

Reis Nadat, Scott Gill and Geldart continued to impress for the visitors as they gained confidence as Darlaston stuttered, continually giving the ball away or going down blind alleys.

With central defender Ashley Justin already absent through injury, his central defensive partner and captain Ryan McAllister had to leave the field after aggravating an injury and manager Parkes had to reshuffle his back four with Lucas Hough reverting to centre half and top scorer Scott Broadway emerging from the bench to try and give Darlaston a better platform going forward. Unfortunately for the large travelling contingent the changes had little effect as the visitors simply could not get their passing game going.

Despite their lowly position Wyrley were coming off the back of an excellent 5-1 home win against Allscott and their confidence grew as they played the better football but still failed to trouble the visitors defence or keeper Morris.

As the home side went in search of the equaliser, gaps opened in midfield and Luke Charlton and Leon Taylor started to find space and time on the ball. Taylor laid in a pass for Broadway, but his goal bound effort was blocked with a superb last-ditch effort by Andy Lee, the ball re-bounded back to Broadway' whose fine curling right foot shot from 12 yards went inches wide of Williams' left hand post with the keeper stranded.

Darlaston had keeper Morris to thank as Wyrley's best chance of the game came in added time. A superb Chris Geldart free kick from 30 yards brought a superb diving save from Morris low to his right, parrying the ball for a corner. In desperate search of the equaliser Wyrley keeper Joe Williams ran the length of the pitch for the corner. Unfortunately for the home side the corner came to nothing and as Darlaston broke forward through Sam Lynex, Scott Broadway and Leon Taylor. Williams had scrambled back into his area to deny Broadway with a parried save, Taylor hit the rebound goal wards only for defender Jack Braid to handle the ball, Taylor followed up to score but the referee had already blown for the penalty and sent off Braid.

Lucas Hough stepped up after regular penalty taker Sam Giles had been substituted to emphatically beat Joe Williams giving Darlaston a 2-0 win

Darlaston return to action mid-week against Team Dudley at Priory Road 3G Complex, Priory Road, DUDLEY DY1 4AD. Kick off 7.30 pm.

After five consecutive away games Darlaston return to The Paycare Ground this Saturday where they entertain in form Wrens Nest who are unbeaten in their last 7 games. The game is at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA Kick Off 3.00pm.