Source: Northern_Echo
Northampton Town 2 Darlington 0
Northampton Town 2 Darlington 0[LNB] ABYSMAL in the first half, some signs of encouragement in the second half that just about sums up Darlington's season.[LNB] It also summarises their latest defeat, which featured all the hallmarks of this pitiful campaign.[LNB] During the first half there was lax defending, which accounted for both goals, while the Cobblers' defence enjoyed an easy 45 minutes in front of a toothless attack.[LNB] However, just as Darlington have shown improvement since January, they were better in the second period, doing enough to merit at least a goal.[LNB] But in the bigger picture that would have meant little.[LNB] Saturday was just another stepping stone towards relegation as the result, coupled with Cheltenham's astonishing 6-5 win at Burton, as good as confirmed that Darlington will be in the Blue Square Premier next season.[LNB] Steve Staunton knows it he just has not publicly admitted it, which is accepted practice in football.[LNB] At times like these managers trot out nonsense such as it's not over until the fat lady sings'.[LNB] She is clearing her vocal chords in preparation, but there's really no need. She can save herself the trouble because the league table is sufficient.[LNB] With 13 games to go Staunton's men have only 16 points, yet are 18 from safety.[LNB] We're building for next year, we know what's in store, is as close as Staunton got on Saturday to admitting relegation is a formality.[LNB] We've been building since January, getting our own players and hopefully we can keep them for next year wherever we are.[LNB] I've told the players that we need to finish the season strongly. I've been satisfied with the performances of the last few games but I'm not accepting today.[LNB] We started to compete in the second half you can't win football matches without competing. In the first half we were a yard or two off the pace and that was proved by Northampton scoring two goals.[LNB] The first came on 20 minutes through Middlesbrough loanee John Johnson, who poked home after starting an attack that led to bulky frontman Adebayo Akinfenwa hitting the crossbar.[LNB] The loose ball fell to Johnson to score and the rightback also teed up the second shortly before the break.[LNB] At a corner, Quakers' keeper Shane Redmond punched weakly to Johnson, who squared the ball to Abdul Osman. He drove home from 12 yards.[LNB] Redmond felt he had been impeded by striker Billy McKay. He hadn't, but his ire was understandable given that goalkeepers often appear to be a protected species.[LNB] Staunton said: Some people are saying there was a foul before the second goal, but from our point of view the first goal was a shocker, to say the least. It is disappointing, especially when you see that it's experienced players that are responsible.[LNB] It was a ball into Akinfenwa on the edge of the box and one of our centre-halves wasn't where he was supposed to be. I'm thinking hang on, you can't leave a forward in the middle of the box'.[LNB] At the break Staunton ditched 4-3-3 in favour of 4-4-2 with pacey wingers Josh Gray and Chris Moore coming off the bench to good affect.[LNB] The pair raided down the flanks and fired over a handful of crosses as Darlington finally showed some fight.[LNB] Andrew Milne started at left-back in place of the injured Stuart Giddings and he saw a long-range drive spilled by keeper Jason Steele, also on loan from Boro, who gathered at the second attempt as Gray was about to pounce.[LNB] Northampton were content with their two-goal lead but Quakers continued to press with Gareth Waite firing a powerful effort from distance narrowly wide. Tadhg Purcell saw a header rebound off the base of the post and the Irishman finished the game with a headed effort saved easily following a Moore cross.[LNB] Moore became the 51st different player used, one of a host of records set this season, and another likely to be set is the club's worst points total.[LNB] Darlington need a further 21 to equal 37, their lowest tally since three points for a win was introduced in the early 1980s.[LNB] We've just got to battle on,[LNB] added Staunton. There were a lot of positives. There's just one or two niggling problems that we will eradicate this season ready for next season.[LNB] Which, unfortunately, will not be in League Two.[LNB] Match facts Goals:[LNB] 1-0: Johnson (20, close-range strike after Akinfenwa's shot had rebounded off the crossbar)[LNB] 2-0: Osman (39, drilled in from 12 yards after Quakers failed to clear a corner)[LNB] Bookings: None[LNB] Referee: Andy Penn (Walsall) Allowed play to run and refrained from using his cards but due to injury was replaced by a linesman with 20 minutes to play 7[LNB] Attendance: 4,755[LNB] Entertainment: [LNB] NORTHAMPTON TOWN (4-4-2):[LNB] Steele 6; JOHNSON 7, Hinton 6, Beckwith 7, Gilbert 6; Rodgers 7, Osman 7, Dyer 6, Davis 7 (Guttridge 80); McKay 6, Akinfenwa 7. Subs (not used): Walker (gk), Mulligan, Jacobs, Herbert, Harris, O'Flynn[LNB] DARLINGTON (4-3-3):[LNB] 4 Redmond: Felt he was impeded for the second goal.[LNB] He wasn't and his weak punch led to Osman scoring;[LNB] 5 Madden: Got forward plenty but let himself down with some mediocre crossing[LNB] 6 White: Had his hands full dealing with bulky striker Akinfenwa[LNB] 6 Miller: A composed head at the back, mopped up some loose balls[LNB] 5 Milne: A steady performance at left-back though some passes did not reach their intended target;[LNB] 6 G Smith: Kept things ticking over, but occasionally did not move the ball on quickly enough[LNB] 7 WAITE: Looked more effective when Quakers switched to a four-man midfield[LNB] 4 Dempsey: Has been suffering with a virus and it showed. Replaced at half-time as Quakers switched to 4-4-2;[LNB] 6 Purcell: Hit the post with a header in another determined display but tired late on[LNB] 5 Diop: Rarely looked like scoring, though is surely a better option than substitute Deane[LNB] 4 Main: Subbed at the break having been a peripheral figure, though starved of the ball[LNB] Subs:[LNB] Gray (for Dempsey 45): His direct approach caused problems 7 Moore (for Main 45): Looked comfortable on the ball and delivered several teasing crosses from the right 7 Deane (for Diop 71) (not used): Liversedge (gk), Burn, Mulligan, Chisholm[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] GARETH Waite commanding when Darlington switched formation[LNB]
