Source: Northern_Echo
Cooper points to Rankine as the key to victory
AFTER seeing Mark Rankine turn goal provider in Saturday's FA Cup tie, Darlington manager Mark Cooper labelled the York City striker as the difference between winning and losing.[LNB] It was Rankine, who has scored ten this season, who teed up Djoumin Sangare and Ashley Chambers to net the goals during the Minstermen's 2-0 win at The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] Quakers, however, were blunt in front of goal with York keeper Michael Ingham never seriously tested while striker Tommy Wright withdrawn after less than an hour's play with Liam Hatch switched from defence into attack.[LNB] Cooper has reiterated his desire to bring in a forward during the January transfer window, and he said: The difference between the two teams was the front men, the main striker.[LNB] They had Rankine who was a real handful but we did not have any punch up front until we put Hatch up there.[LNB] If we'd had their centreforward then we would've won the game, put it that way.[LNB] Rankine's not the best player in the world but defenders know they've been in a game when he's played against you. He led the line fantastically well.[LNB] The forward problem is becoming more of a worry but January is coming and we have to make sure we get the right one in. We're looking but everyone's after a good striker. Cooper's immediate thoughts turn to tomorrow evening's home league game with Histon.[LNB] Meanwhile, delighted York boss Gary Mills was left reflecting on another fruitful weekend as the Minstermen's remarkable turnaround since he was appointed continued.[LNB] York went into Saturday's game as one of the division's form sides and they have now lost only one of his nine games in charge.[LNB] Mills said: I told the players that today was our cup final and to get to the third round as a Conference club is magnificent.[LNB] We've had clean sheets away from home against Rotherham, Kidderminster and now Darlington, so nobody deserves to be in the third round more than us.[LNB] Darlington are a difficult side to play against. They get the ball forward early, they squeeze the play and go for second balls so they make it difficult for you. We had to show a different side to our game.[LNB] If it was a league game I would say we didn't pass the ball like we can, but it wasn't the day for that.[LNB] It was a cup game and we got ourselves through that was the most important thing.[LNB]
