Rochdale 0 Darlington 1

14 April 2010 09:30
Rochdale 0 Darlington 1[LNB] THE inevitable finally happened last night as Darlington were relegated from League Two, but no-one could have predicted the circumstances as they pulled off a remarkable win at Rochdale.[LNB] Nathan Mulligan was the matchwinner with a first-half header, but every Quakers player deserved credit for a battling display which ensured Simon Davey's side spoiled the host's promotion party.[LNB] Dale expected to seal their first promotion 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] But with relegation a certainty for sometime it couldn't take the shine off Quakers' amazing victory.[LNB] It was a win which means Rochdale are still awaiting confirmation of promotion but Darlington had to withstand constant pressure throughout as Dale piled forward.[LNB] With a League One place within their grasp, the hosts showed attacking intent from the off.[LNB] Joe Thompson cut inside from the right 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 threatened most with striker Chris O'Grady coming close to connecting with another cross as Darlington were pressed back.[LNB] But they dealt with everything thrown at them and by the half-hour mark Jones' effort remained the only save Redmond had made, with Quakers yet to muster 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 topof- 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 could only fire across goal. That proved Rochdale's final attacking foray of the first 45 minutes, but they started the second half like they started the first.[LNB] Quakers' defence did well to deal with a series of crosses with Ian Miller and White both standing firm with a series of clearing headers.[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 the edge of penalty area on 66 minutes.[LNB] It was a routine save 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 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.[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.[LNB] Darlington may be down, but at least they are going down with a fight.[LNB] Matchfacts Goal: Mulligan (35, 0-1) Bookings: Miller (83, ungentlemanly conduct), Redmond (90, time-wasting) Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands) 6 Attendance: 5,371 Entertainment: [LNB] ROCHDALE (4-4-2): Fielding 6; Wiseman 7, Stanton 6, Dawson 6, T KENNEDY 7; Thompson 7, Jones 7, Taylor 6, Obadeyi 5 (Higginbotham 56, 6); O'Grady 6, Dagnall 6. Subs (not used): Arthur (gk), McArdle, J Kennedy, Haworth, Holness, Toner[LNB] DARLINGTON (4-5-1): REDMOND 8; Arnison 6 (Milne 37, 5 (Bower 73)), White 8, Miller 8, Giddings 7; Mulligan 7 (Moore 84), G Smith 8, Dempsey 7, Convery 7, Gray 7; Purcell 7. Subs: Liversedge (gk), Groves, Diop, M Smith[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH SHANE Redmond - matchwinning performance from the keeper[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo