Darlington missed a glorious opportunity to narrow the gap between themselves and MK Dons as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Mansfield.The Quakers were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when defender Alan White was shown a straight red card after an off-the-ball clash with Mansfield striker Jefferson Louis.

The lowly visitors took the game to the home side from the start and had good chances to take the lead through Michael Boulding in the ninth minute and Louis in the 12th and 16th minutes before the hosts went ahead against the run of play in the 22nd minute.

A shot from Julian Joachim was deflected away for a corner that was taken by Bryan Hodge. Darlington defender Neil Austin slid in at the far post to convert Hodge's cross.

As the game approached the final moments of the half, White's red card left Darlington a man short for the whole of the second period. The visitors, desperate for points in their quest to steer clear of relegation, took full advantage.

The equaliser came in the 56th minute when Matt Hamshaw crossed and Louis' swooping header beat David Stockdale. And the winner was set up by Louis, who headed the ball into space and Stephen Dawson fired in the winner from 15 yards in the 65th minute.

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