A Clarke Kelty penalty accounted for the reserves at Darlington on Tuesday night.

Kelty struck the only goal of the game - from the penalty spot - after Simon Madden was adjudged to have fouled Sean Reay with 18 minutes remaining.

It was a disappointing outcome for a United side who enjoyed the better of the opening period.

The returning Curtis Weston, pictured, was lively and Gavin Rothery had one attempt blocked, following good work by Weston and Tomi Ameobi.

Ameobi also dragged a shot wide as United pressed in the first half.

The closest the lads came to breaking the deadlock was on 43 minutes when Darlington defender Kevin Burgess headed against his own post, after good build-up play involving Jonny Howson and Simon Madden.

But United failed to apply the same pressure after the interval, and with Darlington making most of the running, they scored the crucial goal.

United: Lucas, Madden, Wilkinson, Lees (Fisher 55), Parker, Weston (Hotchkiss 76), Howson, Bayly, Delph (Cartman 74), Rothery, Ameobi. Subs: Martin, Ovington.