Guylain Ndumbu Nsungu was Darlington's match-winner on Saturday with an 81st minute penalty - but had some of his team-mates had their way the striker may not have had chance to take the spot-kick, writes CRAIG STODDART.

Although Clyde Wijnhard missed a penalty after 65 minutes, the Dutchman is Quakers' usual taker but he was subbed by the time Darlington had a second chance from 12 yards, and Quakers were seemingly without a reserve.

A mad rush ensued for the opportunity to score from 12 yards with Ndumbu Nsungu grabbing the ball and keeping it firmly under his arm while referee Carl Boyeson dealt with the sending-off of Tom Newey for fouling Anthony Peacock.

Some of his team-mates, particularly Ryan Valentine, tried to take it off him while Matt Clarke looked to the dug-out for advice.

But manager David Hodgson was pleased with Ndumbu Nsungu's confidence, despite the Congolese striker missing from the spot in a reserve game at Grimsby last week.

"I was annoyed that some players were trying to take the ball off him," said Hodgson.

"I understand we have other players who would like to take a penalty, which is never a bad thing, but when you see a player pick the ball up like he did you don't take it off him.

"He was obviously determined and confident in himself which is exactly what you're looking for.

"And I'm glad he took it because as soon a he hit it with that much power there was never any chance of the keeper saving it.

"I wish Clyde would take his penalties more like Guy did because he's always trying to place them yet, in all my time at Darlington, there has never been a player who could strike a ball better or firmer than he can.

"I was disappointed Clyde missed his but that wasn't why I took him off, I was about to make that substitution anyway whether he scored or not."

Even before the penalty Ndumbu Nsungu became the centre of attention when he came on as a substitute wearing a team-mate's shirt.

There have already been several variations on the spelling of Ndumbu Nsungu's name, perhaps understandably, but on Saturday he was given a completely different moniker: Kendrick.

He played in Joe Kendrick's No. 3 shirt after an error at the company who do Darlington's shirt printing. They supplied Quakers with their new red kits on Friday evening, minus three shirts, one of which belonged to Ndumbu Nsungu but after Grimsby and the match officials were informed of the problem Darlington were permitted to field Ndumbu Nsungu in the shirt.

The mix-up also affected Carlos Logan. Instead of wearing his usual No. 25, they had managed to give him No. 22 and this is not the first error - Shelton Martis has been wearing shirts with his name spelt as 'Mathis'.

l Bert Bossu made a poor first impression in his first game on loan at Accrington Stanley, a 3-1 defeat at Cambridge. Darlington's want-away reserve keeper was at fault for Cambridge's first goal, spilling a hopeful 35-yard shot into his own net.