Quakers held by Hinckley

Darlington were left to rue their finishing and now face an FA Cup replay on Tuesday after being held by Hinckley United at The Northern Echo Arena today.

Caretaker manager Craig Liddle took charge for the first time and, in front of potential new manager Colin Cooper who watched the game from chairman Raj Singh's executive box, Quakers drew 1-1 despite taking the lead early on.

After four minutes Ryan Bowman gave Darlington the lead with a tidy finish from the edge of the penalty area after taking control of a John Campbell cross, but poor finishing meant Quakers were unable to win.

Campbell was recalled as one of five changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Braintree Town last Saturday, a game that proved to be Mark Cooper's last as boss.

He left the club on Monday, along with assistant Richard Dryden, and Liddle's first selection as manager also saw recalls for Sam Russell, Paul Arnison, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Liam Hatch.

They were part of a strong side, that used the same 4-3-1-2 formation that Liddle uses in his successful youth set-up, but Hinckley levelled soon after the Darlington goal.

After the Quakers defence were unable to deal with a long punt upfield, midfielder Sam Belcher took possession and unleashed a low strike into the bottom corner.

Darlington eventually regained control and went on to control the bulk of the first half, maintaining possession for lengthy spells but being unable to create clear opportunities.

The closest Quakers came was just before the break when Jamie Chandler, Campell and Arnison played some nice football to break into penalty area and that led to an Arnison cross-shot that keeper Dan Haystead saved one-handed just before Hatch could get to the ball.

It was a similar story after the break with Darlington doing the pressing while the visitors, from a division below, got men behind the ball as they attempted to secure a replay.

But Darlington wasted chances to score. Bowman saw a side-footed shot from the corner of the penalty area saved easily and then Haystead dealt with a Campbell effort after the striker had played a couple of one-twos with Hatch.

For all that Darlington were on top, they twice escaped falling behind, firstly thanks to a poor header by Belcher. Lloyd Kerry's perfect right-wing cross was met by the unmarked Belcher, but his attempt was awful and the ball went well wide.

Belcher was the man in the spotlight again when Hinckley got forward with a counter-attack. He was one-on-one with Russell, but the keeper saved with his feet.

Darlington were immediately on the offensive with Chandler dribbling the ball into opposition territory and releasing Bowman, but his low shot was saved by Haystead's feet.

The keeper was at it again within 60 seconds, this time denying Bowman who had been played in by Bridge-Wilkinson.

In the closing stages came Quakers' closest chances of the game. Hatch had a goal ruled out for offside after a Kris Taylor shot deflected off a Hinckley head into the striker's path, and then Hatch spurned a one-on-one opportunity when played in by Chandler.

The draw means Darlington will be in the hat for the first round draw on Sunday, but first up is a replay at Hinckley on Tuesday by which time chairman Raj Singh could have announced the club's next manager.

That Colin Cooper was a guest of his today places the Middlesbrough youth coach him as the front-runner. After the game Liddle admitted he would have no qualms about remaining as head of youth, though also said he would be pleased to succeed Mark Cooper.

Referee: Scott Duncan (Newcastle)

Attendance: 1,177

Darlington (4-3-3): Russell; Arnison, G Taylor, Lee, Brown; Bridge-Wilkinson, Chandler, K Taylor; Bowman (Walshaw 70), Hatch, Campbell (J Gray 79). Subs (not used): Nixon (gk), Sanchez-Munoz, McReady, Rundle, Hopson