Darlington 0 Curzon Ashton 0

Attendance 1584

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Darlington doggedly earned a point against one of their play off rivals, Curzon Ashton.

Quakers had Kallum Griffiths dismissed early in the second half for two yellow cards, but they held on to a point with great determination.

Keeper Pete Jameson pulled off two great saves, but there were some great performances in front of him, particularly from Tom Platt.

Despite dropping points, Quakers stay seventh in the table.

Here are Steve's post match thoughts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEIcQn5d96w

Ben Hedley played a great crossfield ball to Jarrett Rivers who brought the ball down quickly and tried to find Kallum Griffiths, but the Curzon defence intercepted.

Curzon’s first attack after they won possession was for Stefan Mols to go down the right, but his cross landed on the roof of the net.

Quakers had their first chance on 11 minutes. Hedley made good ground down the left and crossed into the near post where Cedric Main, coming in, headed just wide.

But then Quakers lost possession inside their own area, and the ball was crossed to the far post, where Buckley-Rickett’s effort was blocked by Kallum Griffiths.

There was another chance for Quakers when Main found Kelly on the left, he switched the ball to his right and had a low effort deflected for a corner, which Curzon managed to glance away.

On 18 minutes, Griffiths found space on the right and found Jarrett Rivers in the area, but his shot was deflected past the far post from ten yards.

The game went quiet after that, and on 28 minutes Peter Jameson pulled off an excellent save from a Stefan Mols header, but the flag was up for offside.

Curzon won a free kick on the right for a foul, and after the ball was flicked on at the near post, Tom Platt just managed to somehow head the ball away off the line.

Quakers nearly scored from a setpiece on 37 minutes. Kelly played a corner to the edge of the Curzon penalty area where Hatfield hit the ball first time, not exactly cleanly, and the ball slid just past the post.

Curzon posed more danger from setpieces than open play, and from a right wing free kick Devon Matthews had a low header well saved by Jameson.

Quakers went their closest yet on 43 minutes. Hedley curled the ball into the box from the left, Main got a touch on the ball, and keeper Bobby Jones pushed the ball around the post

half time 0-0

Three minutes after half time, Curzon missed their best chance yet. Mols won possession on the right to give them a 2 onto 1 situation, he rolled the ball inside to Jimmy Spencer, who fortunately for Darlington, fired wide.

Quakers were then reduced to ten men on 51 minutes when Kallum Griffiths was booked for a foul on the edge of the area, and was shown his second yellow. Luke Griffiths took the free for Curzon but Jameson saved. Jarrett Rivers went to left back, with Ben Hedley switching sides.

Quakers though recovered, and Kelly ran through the middle and struck a right foot shot that Jones saved low down.

Jameson pulled off two good saves in quick succession on 57 minutes. The first from a Spencer volley from a right wing corner that he pushed wide, and then from the corner that followed, he parried a header from Matthews over the bar.

Quakers made their first change on the hour, Jack Maskell replacing Kelly.

Quakers missed a great chance on 62 minutes. Main got away from his man on the right, ran into the six yard box and set up Maskell, who put his effort over the bar.

Quakers had a half chance when Rivers’ cross from the left was cleared, and the ball dropped for Forbes to have a effort blocked.

Curzon broke up the other end, and Platt did well to get back and stop Buckley-Ricketts.

Curzon had a good spell of pressure when they pinned Quakers back, and Hayhurst fired over.

Quakers made their second sub on 81 minutes, Jack Lambert coming on for Main

Curzon then had Spencer booked for a foul on Barrow with Quakers wanting sterner action, claiming that he had used an elbow.

Quakers made a third sub, Cameron Salkeld coming on for Barrow as they held on with great determination with plenty of vocal backing from the crowd.

Full time Darlington 0 Curzon Ashton 0

Team: Jameson, Griffiths, Forbes, Barrow (sub Salkeld 90), Hedley, Platt, Hatfield, Flint, Rivers, Kelly (sub Maskell 60), Main (sub Lambert 85)

Subs: Cornish, Nelson

Bookings: Barrow 30, Griffiths 35, Jameson 85, Main 90

Second yellow Griffiths 52

Curzon: Jones, Poscha, Matthews, Griffiths, Bucjley-Ricketts, Sinclair, Spencer, Mols, Hayhurst, Richards, Barton.

Subs: Sibowale, Lacey, Darby, Afuye, Mahon