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Darlington 2 Prescot Cables 2

Quakers win 5-4 on penalties

Quakers won a tense penalty shootout for the first time in 18 years to go through to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

They had keeper Johnny Saltmer to thank for two saves in a dramatic penalty shootout, especially as Prescot had a penalty to win at 4-3.

But after Saltmer saved a second penalty at 4-4 in the shootout, it was all set up for Nicky Hunt to fire the winner into the top corner.

It could all have been avoided if they had taken their chances in normal time.

Watch Darren Holloway's post match interview here: 

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-we-gave-away-some-soft-goals

The draw for the third qualifying round is at lunchtime on Monday.

In pouring rain (but no signs of surface water at all on the pitch) Quakers started with a good early attack, which ended with Justin Donawa firing wide from the edge of the box.

However, Prescot had a good break on 6 minutes and Michael Monaghan found himself in space inside the area, and his low shot was pushed around the post by Johnny Saltmer.

Quakers nearly took the lead on 9 minutes. Charman cleverly controlled a through ball, wrong footed a defender, but his right-footed lob came back off the post, then Justin Donawa drove the loose ball against the keeper.

Jarrett Rivers had a left foot effort deflected over the bar, and on 15 minutes Alex Storey headed just wide from a Tony McMahon cross.

Prescot keeper Mitchell Allen then went full length to his left to save McMahon’s 30 yard free kick at full stretch.

Quakers took the lead on 29 minutes, when Campbell, with a nifty bit of footwork on the right, crossed into the middle for Luke Charman to head firmly past the keeper.

Prescot nearly levelled on 34 minutes, when Matthew Corness struck a low shot that hit the inside of the right hand post, then Monaghan tested Saltmer with a 20 yarder that the keeper pushed around the post.

Justin Donawa made a great run on 40 minutes when he picked the ball up just inside his own half, ran 40 yards, and then fired just wide of the left hand post.

Half time: Darlington 1 Prescot Cables 0

Quakers nearly made it 2-0 at the start of the second half when Rivers swung a corner over from the right for Storey to head just wide of the post from eight yards.

Campbell volleyed wide from the edge of the box, before Prescot levelled on 56 minutes.

A free kick was curled over from the left, and Alex McMilan had time to chest the ball down and fire left footed past Saltmer.

But Quakers went straight back in front on the hour, when Jarrett Rivers crossed from the left for Charman, standing completely unmarked on the six yard line, to sidefoot home with the Prescot defence appealing for offside.

Rivers and Campbell then played a good 1-2 before Campbell’s shot was pushed over the top by Allen.

However, Prescot were awarded a penalty with five minutes left when Korie-Butler was brought down, and Edgar scored from the spot.

Allen then pulled off a good save from Reid, as Quakers piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

Score after 90 minutes:

Darlington 2 Prescot Cables 2

Shootout:

Monaghan (Prescot) scored. 0-1

McMahon (Darlington) keeper saved 0-1

Staunton (Prescot) scored 0-2

Rivers (Darlington) scored 1-2

Edgar (Prescot) scored 1-3

Wheatley (Darlington) scored 2-3

Myler (Prescot) scored 2-4

Hatfield (Darlington) scored 3-4

Korie-Butler (Prescot) saved 3-4

Campbell (Darlington) scored 4-4

Van-Aston (Prescot) saved 4-4

Hunt (Darlington) scored 5-4

Here's an interview with two goal Luke Charman

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/video-we-made-it-hard-for-ourselves

Darlington: Saltmer, McMahon, Hunt, Storey, Liddle: Atkinson (sub Wheatley 43), Hatfield; Donawa, Campbell, Rivers, Charman (sub Reid 76)
Subs: Watson, Laing, Hedley, Armstrong

Prescot Cables: Allen, Hamilton, Staunton, McCulloch, Cooper, Myler, Monaghan, White, Corness (sub Korie-Butler 55), McMilan (sub Van-Aston 70), A Fleming (sub Edgar 63)
Subs: Johnstone, O Fleming, Klein-Davies

Goals in normal time:

Charman (Darlington, 29 mins) 1-0, McMilan (Prescot, 56 mins, 1-1), Charman (60 mins, 2-1), Edgar (85 mins, 2-2)

Bookings: McMilan, Donawa

Man of the match as voted by our Virtual Match Sponsors Tempest Jones: Luke Charman