Source: Northern_Echo
Quakers relegated despite brave victory
THE inevitable finally happened tonight as Darlington were relegated from League Two, but nobody could have predicted the circumstances as they pulled off a remarkable win at Rochdale.[LNB] Nathan Mulligan was the match-winner with a first-half header, but all of Quakers' players deserve credit for a battling display which ensured Simon Davey's side spoiled their hosts' promotion party.[LNB] Dale had expected to seal their long-awaited promotion, the first since 1969, but they were left stunned by Quakers who drop through the relegation trapdoor due to third-bottom Cheltenham collecting a point at Shrewsbury.[LNB] That means Darlington can no longer escape the bottom two, but as relegation has been coming for some time it couldn't take the shine off this win. Darlington had to withstand constant pressure throughout as Dale piled forward, showing their attacking intent from the off.[LNB] Joe Thompson cut inside from the right by taking the ball past Quakers left-back Stuart Giddings and covering defender Alan White, but the winger lashed his shot wide of the far post and soon after Gary Jones had a powerful effort saved by keeper Shane Redmond.[LNB] It was down the wings that Rochdale were most threatening, with striker Chris O'Grady coming close to connecting with another cross as Darlington continued to be pressed back.[LNB] They dealt with everything thrown at them by the promotion-chasers and by the half-hour Mark Jones' effort remained the only save that Redmond had had to make while Quakers had yet to have a shot.[LNB] But that all changed on 35 minutes when Mulligan put Davey's side ahead with Darlington's first effort at goal.[LNB] Mark Convery's corner was cleared only to Gary Dempsey who swung the ball back in for Mulligan to firmly plant a header beyond Frank Fielding to stun the hosts.[LNB] The goal was Mulligan's first in Quakers colours. Aside from the small pocket of Darlington fans, Spotland fell silent as their expectant supporters digested the fact top-of-the-table Dale were losing to relegation-bound Darlington.[LNB] The lead was almost shortlived as Temitope Obadeyi took the ball into Darlington's penalty area, but he fired across goal.[LNB] That proved to Rochdale's final attacking foray of the first 45 minutes, but they started the second like they had the first. Quakers' defence did well to deal with a series of crosses into their penalty area, with Ian Miller and White both frequently heading the ball away.[LNB] For all their relentless pressure, Rochdale gave keeper Redmond little to do until he was called on to deal with a weak Jason Taylor drive from edge of penalty area on 66 minutes.[LNB] It was a save he was expected to make, but within 60 seconds both keepers made eye-catching stops.[LNB] First, in a rare Darlington break, Gray's corner fell to Convery whose sweetly struck volley was beaten away by Fielding and then Redmond saved a Jones shot with his legs.[LNB] Darlington were up against it with injuries too. Paul Arnison (hamstring) had to be replaced in the first half by Andrew Milne, but he too had to limp off with a back injury and was replaced by the returning from injury Mark Bower midway through the second period.[LNB] The term 'under the cosh' was entirely appropriate and Dale must have thought their pressure was about to pay off as striker Chris Dagnall broke clear on 78 minutes, but Redmond saved again.[LNB] In the final five minutes Gray cleared a Tom Kenendy corner off the goal-line and Jones had an effort deflected wide before referee Oliver Langford played a remarkable seven minutes of injury-time.[LNB] Darlington were indebted to Redmond for a flying save to stop O'Grady's curling effort in a thrilling end to a remarkable game. Darlington may be down, but at least they are going down with a fight.[LNB]
