Darlington sign off with another defeat

08 May 2010 19:05
Darlington's final Football League game ended as so many others have done so this season, with a defeat.[LNB] Dagenham & Redbridge secured a place in the play-offs with a 2-0 win thanks to a goal in each half at The Northern Echo Arena, leaving Quakers to contemplate life in the Blue Square Premier.[LNB] Having been bottom of the table all season, and relegated weeks ago, today was merely an opportunity to say farewell to the Football League.[LNB] Plenty of Darlington fans turned up to do just that, with the healthy attendance being 2,710, but the majority went home disappointed as Quakers sank to their 17th home loss.[LNB] Dagenham started the day with only four away wins less than Darlington but they took their total up to five today with the first goal came on 32 minutes.[LNB] Left-winger Jon Nurse headed the visitors in front by climbing above Alan White to meet Danny Green's corner, though soon after Andrew Milne should have levelled.[LNB] The on loan Leeds defender headed over after meeting Mark Convery's cross.[LNB] Neither side created much before the break, with Nick Liversedge's save from Paul Benson before the goal one of the few goalmouth incidents.[LNB] It was a similar story after the break with Dagenham content to sit on their lead while Darlington, playing a 4-5-1 formation, rarely tested visiting keeper Tony Roberts.[LNB] He did not have save to make until the 89th minute when substitute Dan Groves had an effort pushed wide for a corner.[LNB] But by that point Josh Scott had made it 2-0. On 75 minutes the striker turned in from close-range after strike-partner Paul Benson had skipped past Quakers' teenage defender Dan Burn on the touchline.[LNB] Burn was in the team due to Ian Miller's hernia problem and was one of four players on the pitch at the final whistle who are still serving their youth apprenticeships.[LNB] The others were John McReady, Michael Smith and Jordan Marshall, though manager Simon Davey does not expect to rely on them so heavily next season.[LNB] Due to injuries and releasing seven players since being appointed on April 1, Davey has had little option but to delve into the youth section but the summer will see him him bring in a welter of new talent ahead of Darlington's assault on the Blue Square Premier.[LNB] Darlington (4-5-1): Liversedge; Arnison, White, Burn, Milne; Convery, Dempsey, McReady, G Smith (Groves 67), Mulligan (Marshall 71); M Smith. Subs (not used): Thompson (gk), Bower, Madden[LNB] Dagenham & Redbridge (4-4-2): Roberts; Ogogo, Doe, Arber, McCory; Green, Vincelot, Gain, Nurse (Currie 83); Benson, Scott. Subs (not used): Lewington, Uddin, Montgomery, Thomas, Tajan-Sie, Walsh[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo