TOWN'S youngsters overcame a battling Darlington side to book an FA Youth Cup third-round trip to Leicester.
Saturday's 1-0 win in the North-East, courtesy of a 70th-minute goal by midfielder Luke Malcher, was well deserved.
The visit to Leicester, who beat Town 3-0 at Academy level back in August, takes place on Tuesday, December 20.
Malcher's strike came after a run by Daniel Highley was carried on by Matthew Biddle.
When the cross came in, Alex Hallam's effort hit the bar before rebounding to Malcher, who chested the ball down and netted with a shot which hit both the bar and a post before crossing the line!
There was nothing in it in the first 20 minutes with play flowing from end to end.
Full-back Daniel Racchi almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, when his shot hit a post and the bar before being cleared.
Simon Eastwood prevented a last-gasp equaliser when he made a good save at the foot of a post.
Academy manager Gerry Murphy said: "When Racchi was denied I thought it wasn't going to be our day.
"Darlington were a hardworking, physical side and they stopped us playing, but they didn't create any clear-cut chances.
"In the end, a good, professional display by our lads won us the tie."
Team: Eastwood, Racchi, Clarke, Berrett, Skarz, Malcher, Wilson, Bailey, Hallam (Broadbent, 80mins), Biddle (Akins, 75mins), Highley. Subs not used: Smithies, Oakley, Jackson.
