stockton and darlo times report

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Darlington 0 Morecambe 4

11:06pm Tuesday 24th November 2009

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Photograph of the Author By Craig Stoddart »


Darlington'S dismal season sank to its lowest ebb tonight as a second-half collapse saw them crushed 4-0 at home to Morecambe.

The visitors had won only once on their travels until arriving in the North-East, but they embarrassed the Quakers, who suffered their heaviest home defeat since May 2007 in front of the lowest ever league crowd at the The Northern Echo Arena.

There had been little between the sides during a drab first-half, but second-half errors led to four Morecambe goals on a nightmare evening for manager Steve Staunton.

He labelled the second period as “unacceptable”, having seen his side concede nine goals in two games following Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Chesterfield.

Staunton admitted: “It's very disappointing after the performances we have had of late. The second-half tonight was just unacceptable.

“We need to cut out mistakes, we've been saying it every week. Simple mistakes are killing us.

“We've got to take more responsibility collectively. Every time we take a step forward we then take two or three back.

“We've got a young bunch of players and they are going to have to grow up pretty quickly.

“Jeff Smith had a couple of chances in the first-half, he was unlucky, but the second-half....what can you say? It was not good enough.”

Those chances came midway through a drab first-half which was played at glacial pace with little of note occurring until Smith had two shots at goal in quick succession.

After being played in by the recalled James Collins, Smith dribbled his into the Morecambe penalty area before seeing his shot beaten away by keeper Barry Roche.

Seconds later Smith's shot from the edge of the area skidded narrowly wide of the post and thereafter defences remained largely on top, reducing both teams to half chances.

From outside Darlington's penalty area the Shrimps' Stuart Drummond and Craig Stanley both fired wide of Nick Liversedge's goal, while at the other end Quakers' David Davis had a shot diverted for a corner.

At the end of a half almost devoid of quality, Smith worked himself into a good position inside Morecambe's penalty area, but blazed over the bar.

On 56 minutes came the opening goal and, given the paucity of creativity from both sides, it was no surprise that it came via a defensive error.

On the edge of the Darlington penalty area right-back Corey Barnes was unable to control Jonathan Hogg's pass, which led to Phil Jevons collecting the loose ball and firing home.

Though Jevons' strike was hardly merited, Quakers could hardly say they deserved a goal either.

It kickstarted Morecambe and eight minutes later they had a match-clinching second with Laurence Wilson scoring on the counter.

Striker Paul Mullin escaped Steve Foster and sent Wilson racing away down the left. With teenager Barnes out of position it allowed Morecambe's left wing-back a free run at goal before he fired a shot past Liversedge.

Liversedge pulled off a smart save from Mullin, but on 79 minutes came the third goal, with dire defending once again to blame.

Stanley's free-kick appeared harmless, but it reached the far post where an unmarked Drummond stabbed home. With five minutes to go Liversedge capped off an horrendous evening in fitting style.

He completely mis-kicked the ball and could only stand and watch as sub Wayne Curtis dribbled towards an empty net.

That completed the rout to leave Quakers eight points off third bottom Torquay United, who drew at Port Vale.

Meanwhile, Staunton has a French player on trial and last night confirmed that Jamie Chandler's loan from Sunderland has been terminated with the aim being to free up space for a new player.

[mrpotatohead]

not being negative, but it would appear that most people will tonk darlington this season, so, well done lads, you have had a good day at the office, good luck next game!!!