Darlington 0 Scunthorpe 0

Attendance 1306

Thanks to our matchball sponsor, Cadec

Darlington were unlucky not to take all three points off league leaders Scunthorpe at Blackwell Meadows.

Quakers more than matched their opponents, and they would have won if it wasn't for some good saves by Scunthorpe keeper Ross Fitzsimons.

Here's Steve's reaction to the result, which means that Quakers have still lost just once at home in the league this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zk_-gg_z04

The keeper had to come dashing out of his goal in the opening minute to clear a long ball by Elliot Forbes which Jack Maskell was trying to latch on to.

The visitors had the first chance on 6 minutes when the ball was crossed from the right into the area for Danny Whitehall, who had his back to goal but turned quickly and fired right footed over the top.

Former Darlington striker Mark Beck then had a chance from a Callum Roberts pass on the edge of the box, but he put the ball over the bar.

Quakers slowly got more into he game, and nearly scored on 13 minutes. Cedric Main cleverly laid the ball off on the left for Cameron Salkeld to put in a measured cross over to the far post where Maskell’s header was touched over the bar by Fitzsimons.

Will McGowan then found space to run forward and strike a left foot shot straight at the keeper from 25 yards.

At the other end, Roberts tried his luck with a left foot shot that went wide of the left hand post.

Quakers won their first corner on 20 minutes, but the ball was headed away before Maskell could get to it.

Quakers nearly scored on 30 minutes. They created space nicely on the right for themselves, and Kallum Griffiths crossed for Maskell, who had a close range effort well pushed away by Fitzsimons.

Keeper Peter Jameson then came to Quakers’ rescue when a quickly taken free kick through the middle caught Quakers on the back foot and Whitehall broke through, but Jameson timed his challenge perfectly and won the ball.

Quakers responded with a counter attack, when Main set up Will Hatfield, who volleyed towards the bottom right corner, but Fitzsimons saved low to his right.

Half time 0-0

Quakers had the first chance of the second half when Salkeld cut in from the left and set up Hatfield, who had a shot charged down.

Scunthorpe had a half chance themselves at the other end, when a long clearance by Fitzsimons was flicked on for Roberts to take a touch and then fire over the top from just inside the area.

Quakers kept probing and Scott Barrow played a good ball up the left for Salkeld to control, beat two men, but his right foot shot was blocked.

At the other end, a quick break by Scunthorpe was ended with a tackle by the covering Hatfield in his own area.

Quakers won a corner when Barrow crossed from the left, and a defender just managed to head the ball away from Maskell.

Quakers nearly scored on 67 minutes when the ball was crossed from the left for McGowan to hit a low shot that Fitzsimons just managed to push around the post.

Scunthorpe missed a great chance when Beck helped the ball on for Roberts, who had time to measure his shot, but fortunately for Quakers, he put the ball over the bar.

Quakers counter attacked well on 74 minutes when Maskell charged up the middle and found sub Caden Kelly, and his low shot was saved at the foot of the post by Fitzsimons.

The Iron went up the other end, and Alfie Beestin struck a right foot effort that went about a yard wide.

Quakers nearly won it on 87 minutes when Main got away through the middle, turned in the box and hit a right foot shot that Fitzsimons parried up in the air, and Maskell, following up, saw his header blocked by a desperate defender.

Full time Darlington 0 Scunthorpe 0

Team: Jameson, Griffiths, Lees, Forbes, Barrow (sub Hedley 90), Flint (sub Cornish 75), Hatfield, McGowan, Salkeld (sub Kelly 64), Maskell, Main

Subs: Platt,  Rivers

Bookings: Maskell, Griffiths, Barrow, Hedley

Fitzsimmons, Kouoghan, Evans, Clunan, Beestin, Whitehall, Roberts, Brogan, Beck, Denton, Barrows

Subs: Nicholson, Kelly, Rowley, Scales, Williams