Darlington 2 South Shields 2

Goals: James 20 mins, 0-1, Curry 25 mins pen 1-1, Nelson 47 mins, 2-1, Martin 2-2 90+1

Attendance 2,142

Thanks to our matchball sponsor, MSG Bike Gear

https://www.msgbikegear.co.uk/

Quakers were denied their first home win of the season by a late penalty at Blackwell Meadows.

They came back from an early goal down with a penalty by Mitchell Curry, and at the start of the second half , Andrew Nelson scored a great second with a low shot for his second goal in as many games.

But right at the end, Shields were awarded a disputed penalty that Aaron Martin converted.

Here are the goals and post match interviews:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/goals-from-darlington-v-south-shields

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/post-match-reaction-from-south-shields-game

Shields threatened first, when Jad Abbey got behind the Darlington defence, and fired at goal from a tight angle, but Tommy Taylor held on to his right foot shot.

Quakers replied with a right wing cross by Nelson that went over everybody, although Curry claimed he was pushed at the far post.

Quakers thought they should have had a penalty on 6 minutes when Nelson was bundled to the ground by Myles Boney as they went for a high ball, but the ref gave a goal kick instead.

Quakers then had two corners without success, and when Shields broke, Will Hatfield was back quickly to knock the ball back to Taylor.

Quakers had a chance on 17 minutes when Barnes found Griffiths on the right, and the full back curled in a cross that Nelson, under pressure, headed over the top.#

Shields took the lead on 20 minutes. A high ball went into the Darlington box and as the home defence appealed for handball, the ball fell for Luke James to fire past Taylor. There were furious Darlington protests, with Hazel and Taylor both shown yellow cards.

Quakers levelled five minutes later. Tom Platt was tripped as he went for the ball in the box, the referee pointed to the spot, from where Mitch Curry sent the keeper the wrong way

Quakers gained an indirect free kick on 34 minutes when Boney deliberately handled a back pass in the area, and after Nelson had a shot charged down, the ball was helped on by Curry for Hazel to touch home, but he was flagged offside.

In their first real attack for some time, Lufudu made a good run in from the right and set up Abbey for Shields, but he put the ball well over the top.

Quakers had Jake Lawlor to thank just on half time. A quick free kick by Shields found James in space, he rounded Taylor, but Lawlor got back to clear off the line.

Half time 1-1

Quakers went in front straight after half time. Tom Platt won the ball on the left, held off two challenges, and laid the ball off for Nelson to fire right footed into the bottom left hand corner, his second goal in two games.

Quakers then were forced back, but defended well and they were happy to see a long range shot from Broadbent go over the top.

Quakers went close when Barnes played the ball inside for Griffiths to volley wide from just inside the corner of the box

Nelson went off on the hour to warm applause and was replaced by Felix.

Shields had a chance on 65 minutes when Lufudu crossed from the right and Hasani at the far post, headed at goal, but Taylor blocked his effort well.

However, Quakers replied with a free kick up the middle from Mustoe for Hazel to control, but Boney was out quickly to save at his feet.

Quakers then forced two corners in a minute, but Shields nearly scored at the other end when sub Blackett controlled a ball from the left, got past a defender, but toe poked the ball wide of the left hand post.

Quakers attacked down the right through Griffiths, whose right wing cross was headed in the air by a defender, and Boney just held the ball under the bar.

Hazel nearly made it 3-1 from a free kick well outside the box for a foul on Barnes. He whipped the ball into the near post, where Boney pushed it around for a corner.

There was another chance on 87 minutes when Moke chipped the ball into the box for Barnes to run on to, and Boney saved his effort at full stretch.

But Shields levelled in the first minute of stoppage time when Lawlor was penalised for a foul – he seemed to get a toe to the ball – and the referee awarded a penalty that Martin converted.

Team: Taylor, Platt, Lees, Lawlor, Hazel (sub Salkeld 90+2), Nelson (sub Felix 60), Hatfield, Barnes, Curry (sub Moke 73), Mustoe, Griffiths

Subs: Liddle, Windass

Bookings: Taylor, Hazel, Platt, Felix

Shields:

Boney, Lufudu, Adams, Morse, Broadbent, Smith, Woods, Abbey, Heaney, James, Gomes

Subs: Liddle, Briggs, Blackett, Martin, Hasani