Darlington 1-1 Kettering

Darlington's push for the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs suffered a setback as they were held by Kettering.

The hosts took a second-minute lead when Michael Smith fired in his fourth goal in his last six games.

Kettering equalised on seven minutes when Jean-Paul Marna latched on to a long pass from Sol Davis and lifted the ball over home keeper Sam Russell.

Aman Verma forced a fine save from visiting keeper Willy Gueret but both sides were forced to settle for a draw.

Darlington: Russell, Arnison, Burn, Miller, Brown, Verma, Bridge-Wilkinson, Gary Smith, McReady (Senior 63), Michael Smith (Campbell 77), Hatch.
Subs Not Used: St Louis-Hamilton, Quinn, Terry.

Booked: Brown.

Goals: Michael Smith 2.

Kettering: Gueret, O'Neill, Roper, Flanagan, Davis, Wilson (Mills 82), McKoy, Noubissie, McDonald (Kelly 63), Marna, Cunnington (Christie 69).
Subs Not Used: Challinor, Solkhon.

Booked: O'Neill.

Goals: Marna 7.

Att: 1,829.

Ref: Seb Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).