Darlington 2 Bradford PA 2

Goals: Felix 6 mins, 1-0, Longbottom pen 31 mins, 1-1, 40 mins, 1-2, Newall 55 mins, 2-2

Attendance 1455

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Quakers came from behind to earn a point against Bradford at Blackwell Meadows.

The prospects looked good when they led with an early goal, but Bradford came back to lead 2-1 by half time.

Nathan Newall levelled with his first senior goal in the second half, and despite putting the Bradford defence under strong pressure, they couldn't break through again, but there were huge appeals for a penalty for handball late in the game.

Here are Alun's thoughts on the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-jxCIIIA20

And those of Nathan Newall, who set the first goal up and scored the second

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mARIuRkMny8

Here are the goals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxweMvWH6b4

Quakers took the lead in the first meaningful attack of the game on 6 minutes. Jacob Hazel picked the ball up on the left, found Nathan Newall on the overlap, and he crossed perfectly to the far post for Kaine Felix to rise and head past the keeper, his fourth of the season.

It was nearly 2-0 on 12 minutes when Jarrett Rivers picked the ball up on the right, moved inside and struck a left foot shot that Sykes-Kenworthy held on to.

Quakers won a free kick on the left about 30 yards out on 16 minutes, but Jarrett Rivers free kick was held by the keeper.

Quakers had a great chance on 22 minutes. Adriano Moke picked the ball up in midfield and slipped it to Jacob Hazel who took a touch, ran into the box, but the keeper saved at his feet.

But Quakers conceded a penalty on 31 minutes when Tommy Taylor was harshly adjudged to have tripped Will longbottom when the Bradford player was going away from goal – there seemed to be little contact -- and the ref awarded a penalty which Will Longbottom converted.

At the other end, Felix got back to put in a good tackle on Lewis Coulton as the Bradfird man tried to get down the left.

But Bradford went 2-1 up on 41 minutes when Sam Fielding split the home defence for Longbottom to fire left footed into the roof of the net.

Quakers won a corner on the right in stoppage time, but the keeper held on to Newall’s inswinger.

Half time 1-2

The second half started in heavy rain, with the wind behind Quakers.

Bradford won a corner on 50 minutes which was flicked on at the near post, but Lawlor got the ball away.

Quakers created an opening on 51 minutes when Newall crossed from the left, and the incoming Felix headed over the top.

Quakers levelled on 55 minutes. Nelson got to the bye line and crossed from the right over to the far post where Nathan Newall exchanged passes with Moke, and then lifted the ball over the Bradford keeper and into the net -- his first ever senior goal.

Encouraged by the goal, Newall then had a good run forward from left back, but his shot was blocked.

Quakers made a sub on 65 minutes, Declan Howe coming on for Nelson.

Rivers found Moke on the right when Quakers launched an attack, but Moke’s cross was intercepted.

Quakers had a penalty shout when Howe seemed to be impeded as he tried to shoot but the ref waved play on, and when the ball came back into the box it dropped for Rivers to fire over the top.

Jake Cooper then came on for Ben Hedley on 75 minutes.

Quakers had a chance when Howe laid off a Newall pass for Felix to strike straight at the keeper.

Quakers were dominating possession at this stage, but were unable to create an opening

Bradford nearly scored in the 87 th minute when Fielding got through, but sidefooted wide.

Quakers went straight down the other end, Hazel controlled the ball on the edge of the box, looked up, and fired just wide of the right hand post.

They had a chance in stoppage time when Lawlor headed down a right wing free kick for Howe to fire wide.

Bradford won a corner in stoppage time, but the ball was headed wide.

Newall broke away at the other end, but his cross was just too far for Lawlor.

Quakers had huge penalty appeals turned down in the last minute for handball, but the referee waved their appeals away.

Newall curled a right wing corner over for Howe to head wide in stoppage time

Final score: 2-2

Team: Taylor, Hedley (sub Cooper 75), Lawlor, Sukar, Newall, Moke, Purver, Rivers, Hazel, Nelson (sub Howe 65), Felix

Subs: Rose, Martin, Brookwell

Booking: Taylor

Bradford

Sykes-Kenworthy, Odunston, Coulton, Lancaster, Havern, Lund, Hopper (sub Johnson 86), Richman, Labastide, Fielding, Longbottom

Subs: Eze, Hall, Spencer, Kersey, Johnson