Marc Bridge-Wilkinson notched a brace as Darlington hammered Fleetwood to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

Aaron Brown's free-kick set up Ian Miller to put the hosts ahead early on.

The Quakers doubled their lead when Shaun Beeley brought down Liam Hatch in the box, Bridge-Wilkinson slotting home the resulting penalty.

Bridge-Wilkinson then scored his second from Hatch's excellent cross before Michael Smith compounded Fleetwood's misery with a cool finish.

The victory came on the evening that it emerged that Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Grimsby want Darlington manager Mark Cooper .

Darlington: Russell, Arnison, Burn, Miller, Brown, Verma, McReady, Chandler, Bridge-Wilkinson (Senior 89), Michael Smith, Hatch (Wright 81).
Subs Not Used: St Louis-Hamilton, Quinn, Phil Gray.

Goals: Miller 2, Bridge-Wilkinson 14 pen, 49, Michael Smith 83.

Fleetwood Town: Davies, Wright, McNulty, Gregan, Beeley, Milligan, McGuire (Pond 53), Barry, Parker (Mullan 71), Vieira, Donnelly (Thorpe 53).
Subs Not Used: Hurst, Clancy.

Booked: Davies, McNulty.

Att: 1,446

Ref: B Khatib (England).

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