Quakers suffer late agony

Darlington 0 Wrexham 1 Darlington's eight-match unbeaten came to an end after a late goal today at The Northern Echo Arena gave Wrexham all three points. A second successive scoreless game, following Monday's 0-0 draw at York, looked likely until Nat Knight-Percival's header three minutes from time was enough to snatch victory and take the Welsh side up to eighth while Quakers drop two places to ninth. However, Darlington boss Mark Cooper was left reflecting on a poor refereeing decision which saw Wrexham escape a penalty being awarded against them in the first half. Striker Daniel Powell, who joined Darlington on loan from MK Dons on Thursday, was clearly hauled to the ground inside the Dragon's penalty area by veteran defender Frank Sinclair. The ex-Chelsea defender had been dispossessed by the teenager and reacted by holding Powell with both arms. But, despite a linesman being placed around 15 yards away, referee Darren Handley amazed most inside the Arena by waving play on. It was a stunningly poor decision by the Lancashire referee while Powell later said described the incident as the worst he had ever experienced and it arguably cost Quakers the game. However, neither side could claim to be worth of victory after what was drab affair, lacking in tempo or clear scoring chances. On the half-hour mark Powell should have been presented with a one-on-one opportunity but Gary Smith delayed his pass and the chance was gone. That was one of the few noteworthy moments during tepid first 45 minutes, and the second half was not much better. Quakers required an injection of energy so Cooper sent on Jamie Chandler, in place of Smith, and within seconds the former Sunderland youngster fired narrowly wide. He and John McReady, who had been recalled at the expensive of Joe Clarke, then exchanged passes before releasing Powell who turned and shot low and straight at the keeper. In the closing stages came Wrexham's best chances. At a corner Knight-Percival headed over from close-range while Dean Keates and Jamie Tolley both fired over around 16 yards. The game appeared to be heading for another 0-0 draw, but on 87 minutes right-back Curtis Obeng sent over a cross that Knight-Percival powered past keeper Sam Russell. Darlington now look to start building another unbeaten run when they head to 12th placed Rushden on Tuesday. Goal: Knight-Percival (87, 0-1) Bookings: Obeng (24, encroachment), Sinclair (48, handball); Mangan (72, foul) Referee: Darren Handley (Lancashire) Attendance: 1,690 Darlington (4-4-2): Russell; Miller, Hone, Austin, Brown; Senior, Terry, McReady, G Smith (Chandler 64); Powell, Hatch (M Smith 79), Senior. Subs: Lowson (gk), Clarke, Main Wrexham (4-4-2): Maxwell; Obeng, Andrews, Sinclair, Ashton; Knight-Percival, Blackburn, Keates, Tolley; Taylor, Mangan (Hunt 90). Subs: Brown, Smith, Cieslewicz, Gall

Source: Northern_Echo