Darlington 0 Southport 0

Attendance 1218

Darlington 0 Southport 0

Attendance 1218

Quakers had to settle for a draw against Southport despite creating the majority of the chances on a wind-swept night.

The wind spoilt the game as a spectacle, but Quakers still had their chances to win the game, especially in the closing stages. Nevertheless, they kept a clean sheet which will give them encouragement going into Saturday's game against Telford United.

Here are Alun's thoughts on the game:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/you-have-to-give-them-credit-alun

Quakers had a chance on 3 minutes. Adriano Moke played the ball up the left for Jack Lambert, who played the ball on for Ben Liddle, and in turn he hit a low left foot shot that Tony McMillan saved in the Southport goal.

When Southport attacked meaningfully for the fist time, Jassem Sukar got the ball away, and their first long throw of the game went harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.

Their first chance came on 10 minutes when Jack Bainbridge made a good run inside from the right and hit a left foot shot straight at Tommy Taylor.

Quakers nearly took the lead on 15 minutes. Jacob Hazel, with his back to goal, picked up a pass from Liddle, turned quickly and hit a left foot shot that McMillan just managed to push around the post.

After Taylor held a long throw by Jack Doyle under his own crossbar, Southport had a chance to take the lead on 26 minutes when Jordan Archer broke through, but Taylor blocked his effort.

Quakers broke up the other end and had a good opportunity when Jassem Sukar threaded the ball through for Hazel, who struck the stanchion with a left foot shot.

Left back Newall judged a 30 yard pass perfectly into the path of Hazel, who couldn’t quite get the ball under control in the box.

In stoppage time, Jack Doyle crossed from the left for Adam Anson to head wide, and just on the whistle, Liddle  was off target with a left foot shot from 25 yards.

Half time 0-0

Three injury stoppages at the start of the second half didn’t help the flow of the game, but the breeze behind them,  Quakers looked more threatening.

Southport defender Keenan Quansah was booked for pulling down Lambert out on the left after he’d beaten him to the ball, but Lambert curled the free kick just over the angle of post and crossbar.

Quakers won a corner on 59 minutes, and after Liddle had worked out the corner short with Hedley, he crossed to the far post where Jake Lawlor was inches away from connecting.

Quakers had to make a sub on 64 minutes when Alex Purver, who had worked hard in midfield, went off injured and Danny Rose replaced him.

Lambert won a free kick on 72 minutes when he was blocked after playing the ball about 25 yards out, and he drove the ball low past the wall, but McMillan saved down to his left..

They won a corner on 83 minutes following a low free kick by Liddle, and when the ball came out to Rose on the left, he found Lambert who crossed into the middle, but nobody could get a touch.

Southport nearly scored from a corner on 85 minutes but Rose cleared off the line, but Quakers broke up the other end and McMillan just managed to clear before Williams could get to the ball.

In Quakers next attack, Hazel set up Williams, who fired just over the top.

But Quakers had a let off in stoppage time when Archer broke through, but Taylor saved.

Later still, Lambert fired across the face of goal, and Liddle headed into the keeper’s hands.

And with seconds to go, Williams dribbled through but was stopped by McMillan.

Team: Taylor, Hedley, Lawlor, Sukar, Newall, Moke, Purver (sub Rose 63) Liddle, Lambert, Felix (sub Williams 77), Hazel

Subs: Griffiths,  Brookwell, Mondal

Booking: Newall, Lawlor, Hazel

Southport:

McMillan, Oliver, J Doyle, C Doyle, Anson, Woods, Archer, Quansah, Hmami (sub Munro 68), Bainbridge, Carberry (sub Walton 71)

Subs: Miles, Heath, Watson

Booking: Quansah, Bainbridge