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Match report

Darlington 0 Southport 0

Attendance 1019

A battling point for Quakers, thanks to a fantastic penalty save by Jonny Maddison.

The former Yeovil keeper pulled off a great one-handed save from a penalty in the second half, as well as at least three other good stops in the game.

Quakers were perhaps below their best, but there was still another great performance by Liam Hughes in the centre of defence.

And bearing in mind that manager Tommy Wright had to make a late change when David Syers pulled out 20 minutes before the start of the game through injury and midfielder Joe Wheatley was also missing, then perhaps it wasn't a bad point.

Southport had the first chance, a free kick just inside the Darlington half was nodded down for Dion Charles to half hit straight at Maddison from the edge of the box.

Quakers then broke with promise on two occasions, but each time Thompson’s ball into the box from the right was cut out.

Southport nearly took the lead on 11 minutes with a left foot shot by Bauress that struck the right hand post.

The home side had another chance when Sampson headed the ball sideways for Davern Green to strike and Maddison saved well.

Quakers had a chance when Thompson won the ball outside the Southport box and set up Jordan Nicholson, whose left foot shot was saved by Hanford.

But at the other end, Green set up Charles whose low shot was blocked by Burn on the line.

Quakers had a half chance on 21 minutes when Nicholson burst forward and found Styche, whose left foot shot when off balance, went wide.

Quakers had a good chance on 27 minutes. Nicholson found Henshall on the left, and after Henshall’s cross was half cleared, Glover, on the edge of the box, fired just over.

After a quiet period, Quakers nearly led just on half time. Thompson measured his cross from the right into the box for Styche to head towards goal, and Hanford pulled off a superb save to keep the ball out.

Then just on half time a flighted free kick by Glover went over Hanford, and Hughes, from a tight angle, headed into the side netting.

Half time

0-0

Reece Styche had an audacious attempt at goal at the start of the second half, He picked the ball up on the right from a throw in, spotted the keeper off his line, and tried to lob him but unfortunately the ball went wide.

Quakers had a loud appeal for a penalty on 50 minutes when Thompson played the ball forward quickly to Nicholson who seemed to be brought down by Astles, but the ref waved play on.

But Southport responded at the other end when Green turned in a scramble and had a shot cleared off the line by Glover.

Southport were awarded a penalty on 56 minutes when Burn was adjudged to have brought down Sampson as they jostled for a free kick, and the referee pointed to the spot.

But Maddison pulled off a magnificent save, diving to his left to keep out Bauress’ spot kick.

And Maddison made another great save a few minutes later, this time, doing well down to his right to keep out a piledriver by Green.

Quakers got a free kick for a foul on Thompson on 65 minutes. Glover teed up Nicholson whose shot was blocked.

Southport had a chance when the ball dropped to Gilchrist on the six yard line, but Maddison saved well.

The home side then were given a free kick for a foul by Hughes, and former Darlo player Jordan Richards curled the free kick against the bar, and from another Richards free kick, Sampson headed just wide.

But Quakers weathered the storm, and held on for a point.

Final: Southport 0 Darlington 0

Maddison, Trotman, Jonny Burn, Hughes, O’Hanlon, Elliott, Henshall (sub Saunders 65), Glover, Nicholson, Thompson, Styche

Subs: Stansfield, Aaron Burn, Galbraith, Morrison

Hanford, Richards, Ogle, Winnard, Astles, Morgan, Green (sub Osborne 88), Lynch, Charles, Sampson, Bauress (sub Gilchrist 74)

Subs: Mueller, Hollins, Phenix