Main secures second Darlington win

Darlington Burton Albion An early goal from teenage striker Curtis Main gave Darlinton a much-needed win at home to Burton Albion this afternoon. His sixth minute strike was enough to give Quakers only their second victory of the season. Although Darlington remain bottom of the table, the victory brings much-needed relief to Steve Staunton's side who had lost their last three league and cup matches. They were made to hang on in the closing stages with Paul Peschildo's Burton side putting Darlington under pressure while referee Dave Foster infuriated Quakers with some puzzling decisions. But despite Foster's performance and Burton's determination, Darlington held on for a deserved victory. Darlington had made a bright start with Gary Smith latching on to Simon Thomas' flick-on and forcing a save from Burton keeper Artur Krysiak after only five minutes. Within 60 seconds Krysiak had been beaten as Main found the net with a goal that meant Darlington took the lead for the first time in a league game this season. Mor Diop won the free-kick, after being fouled by Guy Branston, which taken quickly by David Davis, back-heeled into Main's path by Nathan Mulligan and the youngster struck the ball cleanly past Krysiak. He showed composure to beat Krysiak and it was the youth team product's second goal of the season, his fourth for the club, and it justified his inclusion. Main and Diop were two of five changes to Staunton's side with Ian Miller and new signings Mulligan and Stewart Giddings making their first starts for the club. Mulligan signed three weeks ago from Norton & Stockton Ancients where former Middlesbrough youth team-mate Lee Cattermole sponsored his kit. Sunderland midfielder Cattermole was in the stand at The Northern Echo Arena to see Mulligan's home debut. On 19 minutes Miller, back in the team after two games out with concussion, headed over at a corner from Davis who came close to goal himself four minutes later with a speculative. He hit a first-time effort from 35 yards after collecting Krysiak's under-hit clearance. Quakers were pushed back in the closing stages of the half, but other than keeper Nick Liversedge having to beat away a dangerous Jacques Maghomas free-kick, they had been relatively untroubled. The first half saw Miller and Steve Foster proved to be a solid defensive pairing but Branston, in the opposition's defence, took centre stage in first half injury time for a challenge that incorrectly went unpunished. The giant centre-back, built like a rugby player, led with his elbow when challenging for a high ball that flattened Diop for several minutes. But referee Foster felt no action was required and as the players and officials left the field at half-time Staunton had plenty to say to Foster, probably not much of complimentary. The Paris-born striker who was able to continue following treatment from physio Will Short but, ironically, Branston who almost scored soon after the restart. The shaven-headed defender headed over bar three minutes into second half from a corner taken by Jimmy Philips who was again the provider soon after. The lively left-winger delivered a ball from a wide position to Richard Walker but from close-range he spooned the ball over the bar. Burton continued to press with Giddings flinging himself to block Maghoma's effort to concede a corner, taken by Michael Simpson, from which Shaun Harrad shot over. Liversedge called into action to make his first save midway through the second half to stop a Phillips effort before Foster demonstrated his importance to Quakers' cause. He was excellent throughout, winning numerous challenges, and he somehow blocked Maghoma's shot from close to goal. Yet Darlington struggled to make any inroads into opposition territory so Staunton used all three substitutions sending on Dan Groves, Josh Gray and Jamie Chandler. But it was a Burton sub who had two chances two level the score. Striker Serge Makofo had two efforts from virtually the same position, 18 yards out, that were both held by Liversedge. In a frantic finish Groves saw a header cleared off the line by Tony James. Groves, a Darlington-born teenager, got his head to a cross from Main who had chased a lost cause and his efforts so easily almost resulted in a match-clinching goal. But it was not to matter as Quakers hung to the victory in front of their highest league crowd of the season. Goals: Main (6, 1-0) Bookings: Davis (49, foul), Thomas (69, dissent), Chandler (87, foul) Referee: Dave Foster (Newcastle) Attendance: 2,403 Darlington : Liversedge, Barnes, Foster, Miller, Giddings, Mulligan (Groves 61), Davis (Chandler 77), G Smith, Main, Thomas, Diop (Gray 72). Subs (not used): Jones (gk), Burn, Bower Burton Albion: Krysiak, Austin, Branston, James, Webster, Maghoma (Makofo 74), Simpson, McGrath, Phillips, Walker, Harrad (Pearson 58). Subs (not used): Poole (gk), Stride, Brown, Gilroy, Penn

Source: Northern_Echo