Darlington 0 Southport 0

Quakers were content with a point after an injury-hit afternoon against Southport at Blackwell Meadows.

Manager Tommy Wright had to reshuffle his team twice in the game, because of serious injuries to Sam Muggleton and Terry Galbraith, both of whom were taken to hospital.

Muggleton received over ten minutes of treatment for a serious leg injury just before half time, then the skipper went off with concussion after he had collided with goalkeeper Jonny Maddison.

But despite the reshuffling, Quakers nearly snatched all three points in the last ten minutes.

Southport went close on 3 minutes, when Dion Charles skipped past two tackles and hit a right foot shot that bobbled past the left hand post.
Quakers had a long throw by Sam Muggleton from the left that got as far as the six yard box before it was headed away.

And Southport went close again when Devarn Green got to the bye line and crossed into the middle for Charles to volley wide.

Quakers had their first chance on 11 minutes. This time Muggleton threw the ball long from the right, and Simon Ainge headed just over.
Another chance came off a Muggleton long throw on 13 minutes, when the ball dropped for Romal Palmer to pick, up, turn, and fire just over.

There was a scare for Southport when keeper Hanford spilled a free kick from Galbraith, but nobody could take advantage.
Quakers had their best chance so far when Galbraith curled a corner over from the right for Hughes to head just over the top.

But there was a big concern for Quakers when Muggleton went down heavily following a challenge, and was stretchered off with a leg injury. He was subbed at half time by Ben O'Hanlon

Half time:

Darlington 0 Southport 0

Quakers had the first chance of the second half, a Thompson cross from the right was cleared as far as Romal Palmer, who fired wide from the edge of the box.
There was another injury scare for Quakers when a long ball downfield bounced just outside the Quakers box, and Galbraith and Maddison collided with each other as they went for it both requiring treatment.

Galbraith stayed off the field, so Ainge went into defence and Harvey Saunders came on and went up front.

Quakers had a let off when Ainge lost possession allowing Gilchrist to run into the box, but Smith just managed to get a challenge in.
Quakers nearly took the lead when Ainge headed an Elliott free kick into the middle for Saunders to nip in and head just wide.
Hanford was then forced to tip a dipping free kick from Palmer from 30 yards out over the top.

Quakers nearly scored on 82 minutes when Palmer swung a corner in from the left for Thompson to head just wide.

Final score: Darlington 0 Southport 0

Darlington: (3-4-2-1)

Maddison, Smith, Hughes, Galbraith (sub Saunders 56); Trotman, Muggleton (sub O’Hanlon 46), Elliott, Palmer; Thompson, Nicholson (sub Kneeshaw 75); Ainge

Subs not used:  Wheatley, Hall,

Booking: Smith

Southport: (4-4-2)

Hanford, Platt, Parry, Astles, Morgan; Edwards, Green (sub Homson-Smith 72), Wood,  Charles: Gilchrist (sub Archer 76), Sampson

Subs not used: Richards, Lacey, Tibbetts

Bookings: Parry, Platt, Charles

Referee: Aaron Bannister

Attendance 1462