Dropped points may come back to haunt Penney’s men

OCCASIONALLY missing out on victory may be a frustrating but inevitable part of football, but Darlington have only themselves to blame for dropping vital points in each of their last two games.

Against Notts County a week ago a lack of concentration in the final stages turned a 2-1 lead into a 2-2 draw, and on Saturday an opportunity for a late winner was also wasted.

The chance fell to the feet of Ian Harty but, eight yards out and with only the keeper to beat, the Scottish sub hesitated and the moment was gone.

Just like last week, an inability to do the simple thing cost dear. Or, to be more precise, cost another two points which, come May, could prove costly.

In truth, Harty's miss meant Darlington got what they deserved as they and Macclesfield Town were well-matched, but that did not mean the draw was any easier to accept.

"I feel we should have won after our second half performance, and we would have if I had scored," admitted Harty, who came on midway through the second half for his English football debut.

"I should've scored, absolutely.

A couple of the boys are saying it was good save by the keeper but it was a sitter, definitely. I think they're being a bit kind to me because I should've scored.

"Maybe I had a bit too much time. I tried to pick my spot instead of just putting my laces through it.

"I was pleased with my performance, I linked play up and got involved quite a bit but the most important thing is putting the ball in the net and I didn't do that."

D a r l i n g - ton improved in the second half but c h a n c e s , Harty's apart, were as limited as they were in a first half that Quakers started well, but were soon thankful for the emerging talent of goalkeeper David Stockdale who saved a 17th minute penalty.

Tim Ryan felled Danny Thomas and from Kevin McIntyre's low spot kick Stockdale leapt to his right to ensure the scores stayed level and in doing so confirmed his status as Quakers' number one.

His predecessor, Andy Oakes, is history now as in a matter of weeks Stockdale has gone from possible loan departure to firstchoice.

Until the penalty Quakers had been on top, forcing five corners by the 11th minute, but although Abbott linked up well with the midfield neither he nor Tommy Wright came close to opening the scoring.

Macclesfield must have thought they were about to do just that when Ryan tripped Thomas in the penalty area after Quakers were caught out by a quick corner, but Stockdale's super save stunned the Silkmen.

Macclesfield were on top for the remainder of the half and although not a dull game, scoring chances were few and far between and neither side really looked like altering that fact.

But three second half substitutions by Dave Penney gave Darlington some much-needed impetus.

He sent on Kevin McBride on the right wing while strikers Abbott and Wright were replaced by Harty and Gregg Blundell.

Their impact was immediate with Quakers enjoying sustained possession in the final third.

Both the sub strikers linked up well while McBride fired in several teasing crosses but it Stockdale who was again Quakers' hero, this time making a smart reaction save, low to his left, to keep out a low Martin Gritton effort.

The save gave Harty the opportunity to become the goal hero. McBride, Blundell and Harty saw Quakers gain ground down the right and it was on this channel that Blundell set-up Harty's golden chance.

He latched on to Steve Foster's long pass and from the side of the penalty area slid the ball across the goalmouth for Harty, in yards of space, to simply poke the ball home - well, that's what he should have done.

Instead, he dallied, tried to pick his spot and by the time made his mind up it was too late. He did shoot and it was decent save by Tommy Lee but he should not have been given a chance.

Stockdale's save minutes earlier went a long way to ensuring Quakers have kept three clean sheets in four league games but it is at the other end of the pitch that caused Penney concern.

He said: "Defensively we're looking alright, but I'm disappointed with the number of chances we created. We can do better. I know we can do better.

"When we changed it Harty and Blundell gave us a different dimension, a bit more pace and we played the ball more into Harty's feet. We looked a lot better after they came on.

"We were not quite on top of our game. It's disappointing because we know we're better than that and we've got better players than we showed."

Watch the match highlights from Monday, September 3