Source: Northern_Echo
Quakers crumble to defeat
Darlington 2 Chesterfield 3[LNB] Darlington were left deflated after chucking away a two-goal lead with ten minutes to play and managing to lose 3-2 against Chesterfield.[LNB] Quakers had been cruising to victory against the promotion-chasing visitors, leading 2-0 after Steve Staunton's side had put in arguably their best performance of the season.[LNB] A double-strike from Tadhg Purcell put Quakers into a winning position they did not look like relinquishing.[LNB] Chesterfield had won four consecutive games before today yet rarely looked threatening and Darlington appeared set for a much-needed and deserved three points.[LNB] But Quakers collapsed in the closing stages with Richie Byrne's own goal sealing the Spirerites' win, cruelly robbing Darlington of victory.[LNB] Due to results elsewhere going against them, Staunton's men are now 13 points from safety.[LNB] Former Darlington striker Barry Conlon started on the bench for Chesterfield but fellow former Quaker Adam Rundle was in the line-up.[LNB] And the winger almost inadvertently handed Darlington the lead on ten minutes and he had Mor Diop to thank for not being able to tap into an empty net.[LNB] Rundle's clearance on the halfway line was charged down by Diop and carried forward by Purcell who returned the ball to his strike-partner in the penalty but, with the keeper out of position, Diop scuffed his 12-yard.[LNB] It was wasteful of Diop and at the other end of the pitch three minutes later Rundle cut inside from the left and forced a good save from Quakers keeper Shane Redmond.[LNB] Diop was in the line-up as one of three changes with Irish defender Richie Byrne making his first start and winger Josh Gray handed a rare place in the XI.[LNB] Making way were Alan White, Jeff Smith and Curtis Main, all of whom were on the bench.[LNB] Staunton was clearly looking for an improvement in his side following last week's 2-0 defeat at Morecambe, and his side looked solid at the back and more likely to create an opening in the opening stages today.[LNB] He received tangible evidence on 27 minutes when Purcell made it 1-0 at the end of a swift attacking move.[LNB] Simon Madden played in Nathan Mulligan down the right and his pinpoint cross was tapped in at the far post.[LNB] Darlington deserved the lead and thereafter Chesterfield gave Quakers little reason for concern with Rundle well shackled by Madden while Redmond comfortably dealt with any crosses that came his way.[LNB] Just before half-time, after meeting Stuart Giddings' free-kick, midfielder Gareth Waite saw a headed attempt at goal clear the bar before Gray's surging run ended with a low shot deflected wide for corner.[LNB] It was a rousing finish to the half for Quakers who looked good for a second goal, and it came eight minutes after the break and again it came from Purcell.[LNB] His 20-yard free-kick, awarded following a handball by Dominic Green, deflected in past keeper Tommy Lee.[LNB] The goal was the January recruit's fifth in his seventh appearances and with Staunton's side in the ascendency a home win appeared assured. Eight minutes after the second goal, Purcell was instrumental in a move that almost made it 3-0.[LNB] He dribbled the ball forward from his own half and in the opposition's penalty area back-heeled possession into Diop's path, but the Paris-born striker's shot was narrowly off target.[LNB] At the other end an Ian Miller tackle on Derek Niven as the Chesterfield sub dribbled towards goal near the byline.[LNB] The tackle gave Chesterfield a corner which Darlington defended easily enough, meaning Redmond's involvement was little more than as a spectator.[LNB] By the 80th minute the first half save from Rundle had been the only stop he had to make. Maybe his lack of action partially explains the mistake which handed Chesterfield a route back into the game.[LNB] Winger Simon Whaley had just come on as a sub and, with left-back Giddings caught out of position, his first touch was a cross-shot from 18 yards that squirmed under Redmond.[LNB] Still, at 2-1 up with ten minutes to play, Quakers must have been confident of hanging on to a vital three points against a side that had not scored an equalising goal since August.[LNB] That recorded ended around 60 seconds after Whaley's goal, as Drew Talbot smashing 30-yard looping effort sailed over Redmond.[LNB] Byrne's weak clearing header fell to the Chesterfield forward and his stunning strike flew into the back of the net and this time blame could not be apportioned to the keeper.[LNB] Having led by two goals, a 2-2 draw would have been a poor result but Darlington could not even hang on to a point as on 86 minutes Byrne found the net with a remarkable own goal.[LNB] The defender had enjoyed an impressive afternoon, justifying his selection ahead of White, but the Irishman diverted the ball past Redmond.[LNB] Talbot had headed the ball into the Darlington danger area, directly in front of goal, but Byrne panicked and knocked the ball over the line.[LNB] It was a cruel way to end a game that Darlington deserved far more from. They could even have salvaged a draw in injury time as right-back Simon Madden fired a volley that was superbly tipped over by keeper Lee.[LNB] The save ensured Chesterfield's winning run continued, yet they had appeared set for defeated just minutes earlier.[LNB] Goals: Purcell (27, 1-0), Purcell (53, 2-0); Whaley (80, 2-1), Talbot (81, 2-2), Byrne og (86, 2-3)[LNB] Bookings: Byrne (54, foul), Mulligan (56, foul), Groves (85, foul), Madden (90, foul); Rundle (90, foul)[LNB] Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincoln)[LNB] Attendance: 2,209[LNB] Darlington (4-4-2): Redmond; Madden, Miller, Byrne, Giddings; Gray (Deane 85), Waite, Dempsey (G Smith 68), Mulligan (Groves 78), Purcell, Diop. Subs (not used): Liversedge (gk), White, J Smith, Main[LNB] Chesterfield (5-3-2): Lee; Gray, Page, Breckin, Hall (Niven 53), Goodall; Green (Whaley 70), Allott, Rundle; Madine (Boden 59), Talbot. Subs (not used): Crossley (gk), Austin, Artus, Conlon[LNB]
