In the latest of his Memory Matches Simon Weatherill looks back to one of the greatest nights in the club’s history, the 3-2 FA cup win over Burnley on 17^th November 1998.

The 1998/99 season began full of optimism and hope for Darlington fans. Manager David Hodgson had spent the summer strengthening his squad with some quality signings. Craig Liddle, Adam Reed and Gary Bennett were brought in to bolster the defence, but it was the signing of Marco Gabbiadini that excited the fans the most. The 30 year old forward had been released by York City and Hodgson beat off competition from several clubs to secure his signature. The former Sunderland, Derby and Palace striker had a wealth of experience with nearly 500 appearances and over 160 goals to his credit, so would prove to be an excellent addition, as Hodgson plotted a promotion push. To add to the good feeling around the club the new 3500 seat East Stand was completed and ready for the new season.

Although the new stand witnessed an opening day defeat (0-2 to Barnet) the season started well and after 12 games the Quakers found themselves top of the league. Canadian International Jason De Vos had been an ever present in those opening 12 games, but he was sold to Dundee United for £400,000 as financial problems hit the club. The absence of De Vos had an effect on results and one point from the next four games dropped them down the table. There were also problems with the Feethams pitch which seemed to be permanently waterlogged and two home games had to be postponed.

The first round of the FA Cup provided some distraction from the league. The draw had given the Quakers a home tie against second division Burnley but the Feethams pitch was totally unplayable. Neighbours Middlesbrough stepped forward and offered use of the Riverside Stadium to host the tie -- a generous gesture by their chairman Steve Gibson. The game would take place on Tuesday 17th November. Anticipation for the game was cranked up when the draw for the second round was made, the winners would be at home to Manchester City (then in the division above) in front of the Sky TV cameras.

A crowd of 5059 were at the Riverside for the game and they saw the Quakers make a strong start, forcing four corners in the first quarter of an hour with Glenn Naylor going closest to a goal with a header from one of them that went just wide. Burnley seemed quite happy to soak up the pressure and rely on counter attacks and it nearly paid off on 16 minutes when their most dangerous player, Glen Little, beat two men with a strong run but his dangerous cross was cut out by Mark Barnard who conceded a corner. Two minutes later Marco Gabbiadini went close with a shot from the edge of the box which visiting keeper Frank Kval did well to save, then a minute later he made an even better save from a Gabbiadini header. Burnley hit back and Steve Morgan clipped the bar with a header from a Little corner. In an end to end half it was Darlington who threatened next when Darren Roberts forced his way into the box but had his shot blocked by Kval. The deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when the visitors grabbed the lead. Quakers centre half Steve Tutill lost the ball on the halfway line to Burnley full back Phil Eastwood, who played the ball forward for former Middlesbrough striker Andy Payton to advance and beat David Preece. Half time: Darlington 0 Burnley 1.

Darlington began the second half in determined fashion. Brian Atkinson had a shot deflected wide, then Gabbiadini fired high over. Burnley thought they’d increased their lead on 53 minutes when Payton netted again but this time it was ruled out for offside. The striker was booked for disputing the decision. They did increase their lead on 55 minutes with a controversial penalty when Payton went down under a challenge from Craig Liddle just inside the box. The referee saw nothing wrong and waved play on, but his assistant flagged and a penalty was awarded. Payton smashed home the spot kick.

The Quakers kept pressing forwards. Mario Dorner replaced Gary Bennett and very nearly scored with his first touch, a right foot shot that just cleared the bar. Atkinson hit a powerful shot which was blocked and Naylor followed up but Kval somehow scrambled his effort around the post. The game changed in the 73rd minute. Liddle played a back pass to Preece and as he cleared the ball Payton went in late on the keeper and earned his second booking. Although two goals to the good, Burnley would have to play the last 17 minutes with 10 men.

Darlington got back into the game on 80 minutes. Naylor was pushed in the back by Brian Reid as they contested a cross from Michael Oliver and Brian Atkinson coolly converted the penalty. The Quakers were completely on top now and Burnley were hanging on. Dorner’s chip went just over the bar then Gabbiadini blazed another shot too high. On 86 minutes they got a deserved equaliser. A cross from the right by Gabbiadini was headed into the box by Oliver, touched back by Naylor and smashed into the net by Dorner from 12 yards out. Adam Reed had a header cleared off the line, then as the game entered stoppage time, Darlington grabbed a dramatic winner. Oliver won a tackle 30 yards out and the ball ran to Dorner just outside the penalty area. He squared the ball to the corner of the box where the onrushing Mark Barnard hit a first time shot across the keeper just inside the far post. From two down with ten minutes left the Quakers had fought back to secure a famous victory.

The second round tie against Manchester City took place at Feethams after extensive remedial work. Half the pitch was dug up, the drains re-laid and the pitch returfed just in time for the game which finished in a 1-1 draw. City scraped through in the replay at Maine Road 1-0 after extra time. Three FA Cup ties against Burnley and Manchester City had finished with an aggregate score of 4-4. Those were the days!

The programme for the 1998/99 season consisted of 32 pages and cost £1.60. Items inside included columns by manager David Hodgson and chairman Bernard Lowery, two pages on the opposition, a page of current season statistics, action photos from a previous game, Names & Games (where Leigh Edwards focused on connections with the visitors), Encounters (a look at previous matches with the visitors by Frank Tweddle), Looking Back at matches 10, 20 and 30 years ago, results and line-ups for the current season and the team line-ups on the back cover. 

Team v Burnley: 1 David Preece 2 Adam Reed 3 Mark Barnard 4 Craig Liddle 5 Steve Tutill 6 Gary Bennett 7 Steve Gaughan 8 Glenn Naylor 9 Darren Roberts 10 Marco Gabbiadini 11 Brian Atkinson Subs 12 Phil Brumwell (not used) 13 Mark Samways (not used) 14 John Leah (replaced Atkinson, 82 mins) 15 Mario Dorner (replaced Bennett, 57 mins) 16 Michael Oliver (replaced Roberts, 66 mins). 

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