Source: Northern_Echo
Darlington 1 Burton Albion 0
Darlington 1 Burton Albion 0[LNB] DETERMINED Darlington showed a resilience otherwise lacking this season as they grinded out a much-needed win at home to Burton Albion.[LNB] An early goal from teenage striker Curtis Main was enough to clinch a second league victory and although they remain bottom of the table, Darlington were delighted to finally keep a clean sheet at the 16th time of asking.[LNB] That made it a highly satisfactory afternoon because in other matches this season Quakers have crumbled.[LNB] Their defence was breached eight times in Steve Staunton's first four league matches as manager.[LNB] But Steve Foster was back to his best, Ian Miller made a welcome return and Stuart Giddings enjoyed an impressive debut at left-back.[LNB] Suddenly the defence appeared much more assured and it had to too as, for the most part, mid-table Burton were on top. However, Quakers proved tough to break down, reducing the visitors' scoring opportunities to half chances, and in nobody was the new-found resilience more evident than in Giddings.[LNB] The 23-year-old, who joined from Hinkley United last week, sustained a broken nose in the first half yet played on without complaint, something that earned praise from an appreciative Staunton.[LNB] He said: Considering he played with a broken nose for well over an hour, I thought he was a very brave boy. It was no bother to him. He didn't shirk a header or a collision.[LNB] Our goalkeeper came out and punched the ball, Stu was in the vicinity and felt the full force but that's a good goalkeeper and a good defender.[LNB] He took it like a man, got up and played the rest of the game no bother.[LNB] And I've got to give credit to my keeper. I've always said to him that if you're coming for the ball and punching and taking heads then fair play to you, that's what I want to see.[LNB] Unlucky for Stu, he felt the full whack but it was good defending and good goalkeeping.[LNB] Giddings' admirable commitment was matched by the defence's solid display that ensured keeper Nick Liversedge had a comfortable afternoon en route to recording the first shut-out of his career.[LNB] That, though, was due in no small part to Foster and Miller. Having suffered concussion against Barnet two weeks ago, Miller returned after missing two games during which time Matty Plummer filled in.[LNB] The back four and the goalkeeper were outstanding and I thought Miller and Foster were magnificent, added the manager.[LNB] We've missed Miller over the last couple of weeks due to his concussion, but he was outstanding and that was more like the old Fozzie. He led from the front.[LNB] In front of the club's highest league crowd of the season, Darlington played their first home match for a month since beating Shrewsbury and Saturday's line-up featured just four of the team which started that day.[LNB] Staunton made five changes to the side which lost at Barnet last week, handing a first start since September to 17-year-old Main who almost immediately justified the selection with his fourth goal for the club.[LNB] After seven minutes he exchanged passes with winger Nathan Mulligan and kept a cool head to stroke the ball past Burton's Polish keeper Artur Krysiak.[LNB] Having battled back from leukemia, which disrupted his three-year scholarship with Middlesbrough, it was a great way for Mulligan to introduce himself to the Darlington fans who gave him a warm reception when he was replaced in the second half.[LNB] He was watched by Sunderland's Lee Cattermole, a former Middlesbrough youth team-mate, and also in the stands was Boro boss Gordon Strachan.[LNB] He will have been impressed with Main's strike, but thereafter it was Darlington's defenders which caught the eye.[LNB] Burton enjoyed more possession, particularly after the break, and their few good chances saw striker Richard Walker spoon the ball over the bar and Liversedge cleanly catch two weak efforts from Greg Pearson and Serge Makofo.[LNB] Brutish defender Guy Branston headed over, though he was fortunate to still be on the pitch having led with his elbow when challenging Mor Diop. Referee Dave Foster was too lenient in that case, but too harsh later on by booking Jamie Chandler who will now serve a suspension.[LNB] Burton continued to press, though Darlington sub Dan Groves almost added a second but saw a header cleared off the line by Tony James.[LNB] It was not to matter as Darlington stood firm and a satisfied Staunton added: It was a very unusual position for us to be in, to score so early. So full credit to the 11 that started and those that came on, they defended for their lives and got their just rewards.[LNB] We looked tighter, we looked more comfortable, we defended crosses better and when the ball dropped in our penalty area there was a white jersey there.[LNB] Match facts Goal:[LNB] 1-0: Main (7, a composed finish after playing a one-two with Mulligan)[LNB] Bookings: Davis (49, foul), Thomas (69, dissent), Chandler (87, foul)[LNB] Referee: Dave Foster (Newcastle) Very inconsistent. Harshly booked Chandler for a fair challenge but allowed Branston to escape unpunished for elbowing Diop 4[LNB] Attendance: 2,403[LNB] Entertainment: [LNB] DARLINGTON (4-4-2):[LNB] 6 Liversedge: Not really stretched but easily coped with routine catching and shot-stopping;[LNB] 7 Barnes: Another solid display, though Staunton said his distribution could have been better[LNB] 8 FOSTER: Won almost every challenge he went in for; vintage Foster[LNB] 8 Miller: Made a welcome return after two games out and complimented Foster well[LNB] 7 Giddings: Stayed close to Burton's right-winger on an impressive debut;[LNB] 6 Mulligan: Teeing up Main for his goal was a great way to mark his full debut[LNB] 7 Davis: One of his better outings and can expect an extended run as Chandler is suspended[LNB] 7 G Smith: One of his best games for the club. Looked at ease on the ball in midfield[LNB] 5 Thomas: Not a threat going forward but left-wing is clearly not his best position;[LNB] 7 Main: Took his goal very well though struggled to make an impact thereafter[LNB] 5 Diop: Clearly not fit enough yet and perhaps affected by two hefty whacks from Branston in the first half[LNB] Subs[LNB] Groves (for Mulligan 61): Replaced the tiring Mulligan and came so close to scoring with a header cleared off the line 6 Gray (for Diop 72) Chandler (for Davis 77) (not used): Jones (gk), Burn, Bower[LNB] BURTON ALBION (4-4-2): Krysiak 5; Austin 6, Branston 6, James 7, Webster 5 ; Maghoma 6 (Makofo 74), Simpson 7, McGrath 7,[LNB] PHILLIPS 7; Walker 6, Harrad 5 (Pearson 58, 6). Subs (not used): Poole (gk), Stride, Brown, Gilroy, Penn[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] STEVE Foster good to see the captain back to his best.[LNB]
