Darlo 1 v 1 Clitheroe
Darlo dropped two points at home to mid-table Clitheroe after the visitors scored in the last few minutes of the game.
Sub Tez Galbraith had headed Darlo into the lead in the second half, before the Clitheroe number 9 tapped home to snatch a late point.
The visitors finished the game with ten men, after an elbow on Ian Watson when the score was 1-0.
Stephen Thompson had a huge appeal for a penalty turned down straight after the equaliser.
The Quakers started the game with Gary Brown at centre back, with new loan signing Josh Nearney starting at right back due to Alan White being unavailable. There was no place for Liam Hatch in the squad, however this was not due to suspension.
Darlo started well, with Graeme Armstrong missing from yards out and then hitting the crossbar.
However, it was the visitors who took control of the first period, mainly down their left side, with Pete Jameson making a 1v1 save to keep the score goalless.
Despite looking shaky at the back, Darlo always threatened at the other end with Armstrong again hitting the crossbar.
At half time Nearney was replaced due to a slight muscle concern with Mitchell dropping to right back and Galbraith coming on.
It was the sub who got the break through from a well worked corner routine. Mitchell crossed to the back stick allowing Galbraith to head past the keeper and give Darlo the lead.
The visitors were then reduced to ten men after an elbow on Watson, however the Quakers were unable to put the game to bed.
Sub David Dowson should have done this, when he broke through clear, however the goalkeeper saved well.
Clitheroe nearly equalised when a curling effort appeared to be heading for the top corner, however the post saved Darlington.
Darlo tried to run the game down, but were made to pay when a ball was fired across the box allowing their striker to tap in at the back post.
It wasn’t the end of the drama though, as Darlo had a huge penalty appeal in the final minute. Thompson went down easily, but appeared to be taken out by a mistimed lunge in the box, however the referee pointed for a corner rather than the penalty spot.
Overall it was a disappointing day for Darlington, despite creating chances, the performance wasn’t at the high level it has been in recent weeks. We lacked White’s leadership at the back and the midfield was overrun for most of the first half.
You can’t expect to win every game though and having won the previous nine in the league we have been able to get ourselves into a position to challenge for the league which we weren’t in before.
As for Clitheroe, it was quite refreshing to see a side come and have a go and they will probably feel they deserved a point.
One downside for me today was from Martin Gray. There was a minute or so during the second half when he kept kicking balls on the pitch during play?? Not sure if something had happened to make him to do this or he was just trying very unprofessionally to time waste. It also didn’t surprise me to hear his post-match comments were directed at the referee rather than the performance for ourselves. While it appeared to be a penalty, the game wasn’t drawn in that instant, it was on the chances missed.
We move on anyway and remain top of the table, Northwich are now second two points behind us.
Simon Hahn 