Marco Gabbiadini made it six of the worst for the suffering Seagulls with a hat-trick which launched Darlington to their first win for five games.

The experienced striker put the visitors deservedly in front on 24 minutes with a fine individual effort.

Albion spurned a chance to equalise on 41 minutes when Paul Armstrong had a penalty superbly saved by David Preece.

Gabbiadini rubbed salt into the wound by slotting his 16th of the season on 48 minutes.

Albion's misery was summed up on 72 minutes as the transfer-listed Peter Smith, making his first appearance since mid-October, turned a Craig Liddle cross into his own net.

That provoked chants of: "What a load of rubbish" from a disenchanted crowd of 3,053 at the Priestfield Stadium.

Gabbiadini completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot three minutes from time after teenage substitute Danny Davis brought down Brian Atkinson.

Albion have now crashed to six defeats on the trot, their worst run for 11 years.

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