Source: Northern_Echo
Purcell is so sorry for Byrne
STRIKER Tadgh Purcell expressed sympathy for fellow Irishman Richie Byrne after his team-mate's own goal condemned Darlington to defeat.[LNB] Quakers were heading for a shock but deserved win over Chesterfield, thanks to two goals from Purcell, who has now found the net five times in seven appearances.[LNB] But in the last ten minutes the Spirerites hit back to equalise, then Byrne put the ball into his own net when attempting to concede a corner.[LNB] It was the 28-year-old's first start after joining Quakers at the beginning of the month from St Johnstone.[LNB] Purcell said: I'm gutted for Richie. It was his first game in a year so to lose it like that, I feel for him. He didn't deserve that to happen to him.[LNB] I said to him in the dressing room, and a few of the others players said it too, just keep your head up. If anyone didn't deserve it then it was Richie.[LNB] I knew Richie when I was 16 and starting out at Shamrock and he was just about to move to Dunfermline.[LNB] I didn't know him as well as I've got to know him here and the fellow is a consummate pro, probably one of the most professional footballers I've met.[LNB] He had a good game and he's going to be a big player for us. It's been a hard start for him but football kicks you when you're down and its how you react which is most important.[LNB] Quakers' attentions now turn to tomorrow evening's home game with Notts County, who have not won any of their last three matches.[LNB] As Darlington aim to bounce back from Saturday's setback, Purcell will be looking to add to his goal tally, though he would happily trade goals for points.[LNB] The 24-year-old said: I'm happy enough with what I'm contributing to the team and hopefully I'll get to reach ten goals at the end of the season and we'll be safe, because that's the biggest target.[LNB] Scoring goals is all very well but we need to win games, that's what really matters. To score two goals but lose feels like a waste.[LNB] I don't think I've ever played in a game where one team has played so well and lost.[LNB] You can call it unlucky but you're not going to get any breaks when you're down at the bottom of the table.[LNB] It's up to us to turn things around.[LNB] It would be easy to blame each other or say we were unlucky but we have to get our heads up and get three points on Tuesday.[LNB]
