Source: Northern_Echo
Chandler: Trophy makes up for league finish
MAN OF THE MATCH Jamie Chandler believes Darlington's last-minute FA Trophy win over Mansfield Town more than makes up for the disappointment of not reaching the Conference playoffs this season.[LNB] Click here to view a gallery of pictures from the day[LNB] Chris Senior's dramatic late header won it for Quakers, making them the first North-East professional club to win at Wembley since Sunderland's FA Cup victory in 1973.[LNB] The trophy win is also Quakers' first piece of silverware since 1991, when they lifted the Division Four title under Brian Little.[LNB] After the heartache of relegation out of the Football League at the end of last season, winning at Wembley was the perfect tonic despite the club disappointingly missing out on the Blue Square Premier play-off places.[LNB] [LNB] Chandler, who played a big part in Saturday's win, reckons everyone connected with the club would take winning in the manner they did over getting in the playoffs.[LNB] I think everyone would take that celebration in the last minute over getting in the play-offs, that's my opinion, the 22-year-old said.[LNB] To see the fans go like that and to see the emotions from the staff and players, you might not get another moment or feeling like that in your life again. It was unbelievable.[LNB] I think over the 90 minutes we might have just edged it. In extra-time, even though we didn't look much fitter or fresher, I still thought we had a bit too much for them but to come through and get the victory, it was just amazing.[LNB] It is unbelievable, it was one of those games when we had two or three chances and I thought it was going to penalties and it might not be our day but it is absolutely amazing and watching it from that far back, I might never experience it again.[LNB] I was further down the pitch in front of the back two and I saw it hit the bar.[LNB] Then to see the little man get his head on it was unbelievable, I was running down and I turned to my left and saw the gaffer sprint past me. I reckon it would be a good race between him and Mourinho![LNB] [LNB] After a cagey first-half, the game opened up after the half-time break with both sides enjoying chances to win it.[LNB] Paul Connor went closest for Mansfield before Tommy Wright headed against the post, with Ian Miller's followup tipped over the bar by Alan Marriot.[LNB] Before Saturday's last gasp win, the story of Quakers' season has been conceding late goals but for once, it was Cooper's men who had the last laugh, despite Paul Terry conceding a dangerous freekick seconds after Senior's goal.[LNB] Chandler admits it was a relief when referee Stuart Attwell finally blew the fulltime whistle and revealed the feeling he had as he climbed up the famous Wembley steps up to the royal box.[LNB] He said: The way our luck's been this season it wouldn't have been strange for them to get the goal but for us to do it in the last game, a cup final, that's what it's all about.[LNB] Paul Terry nearly got a slap across the back of his head for conceding that freekick![LNB] It was a nervous moment but the skipper again got his head to it, he was phenomenal again and the relief when the ref blew his whistle, it was just truly special.[LNB] Walking up the stairs at the end I saw my dad and he had a couple of tears in his eyes and that's what it's all about.[LNB] I got man of the match and we won. It's one of those moments that will live with me forever no matter what happens. To say you've won at Wembley is a special achievement."[LNB]
