Saunders goal boosts Darlington's play-off chances

SUPER sub Harvey Saunders came off the bench to score the winner as Darlington climbed back into the play-offs.

They are up to fifth, level on points with third-placed Halifax Town, and will go to leaders AFC Fylde on Saturday in good heart after extending their good run with last night’s win over Bradford Park Avenue.

It was a game lacking in entertainment and excitement, Darlington grinding out three points to extend their unbeaten run to six matches, Saunders having scored within two minutes of being sent on by manager Martin Gray.

The manager was reluctant to focus on the teenager’s contribution, but said: “We deserved the three points purely because of the chances we created.

“There was a lot of play before the goal. Mark Beck and Dave Syers hit the woodwork, we created two or three chances from half chances and there were some good balls across the face of goal.

“I always believe in the players. We changed the formation and were very attacking-minded. We had four centre-forwards on at one point.”

That was towards the end of the contest, when Saunders entered the fray, during a match in which neither side fully took control, instead taking turns with half-chances.

Bradford’s Gavin Rothery had the first shot, comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Adam Bartlett, who was playing his first home game since replacing Ed Wilczynski.

He endured a nightmare debut during Saturday’s 3-3 draw, when Syers snatched a point with an injury-time equaliser, and he was inches away from scoring the first goal last night.

Syers headed against the outside of the post from 12 yards after meeting a cross by Josh Gillies, who got to the byline following a clever Stephen Thompson dummy.

Although Gillies had got down the left flank to deliver the cross, on his recall he was playing in a central position behind Mark Beck and Thompson, while Quakers’ other change saw Gary Brown return at the expense of Chris Hunter, but Kevin Burgess failed a fitness test.

After what had been low-key start, Syers’ header apart, Bradford had a spell of pressure which saw Liam Marrs make a goal-line clearance to block Shane Killock’s volley after a corner.

Wayne Brooksby headed wide when attempting to divert a team-mate’s shot towards Bartlett’s goal.

Josh Falkingham almost burst the tedium with a fierce shot deflected wide after Thompson run, but normal service was soon resumed.

Gray will no doubt have had plenty to say to his players during the break, and Quakers improved after the break, controlling the game for longer spells.

After a David Ferguson cross, Beck hit the post with a left-foot volley, Quakers hitting the woodwork for a second time, while a Thompson corner rolled across the six-yard box with Syers just failing to adjust his feet in time to turn the ball home.

Nathan Cartman, who was a substitute, scuffed an effort wide after good work by Beck, before a terrific one-handed save by Adam Bartlett, pushing away a powerful shot from Oli Johnson.

Gray was pleased with his new keeper’s display, saying: “Adam Bartlett’s performance was very strong. Everybody was looking to see if they could pick faults.

“I thought he made magnificent save when the ball was flying towards the top corner, and he came for some big crosses.

“How quickly he distributed the ball the full-backs was a plus too, so it was a strong performance from Adam.”

Quakers had an escape, however, when Nicky Wroe had only Bartlett to beat after Terry Galbraith had slipped, but he tried to pass to a team-mate and the chance was gone.

With three points essential, on 78 minutes Gray switched to three at the back and sent on Saunders, who wasted little time in making an impact as Darlington piled forward.

Beck’s header was cleared off the line, but Saunders was on hand to give Darlington the lead with ten minutes to go.

He scored his first goal earlier this month to secure a draw at Worcester City, and the Staindrop teenager had again proved his worth.

However, Bradford were incensed as they believed Thompson had obstructed one of their players in the build up to what proved to be the only goal of the game.

“It wasn’t one of our better performances tonight, but it was about getting a result and that’s what we did,” added Gray.

“It was never going to be an easy game. Bradford have been in a decent run of form and they have picked up a bit and they’re a big and strong physical team.

“Tonight’s game was about one thing and that was getting three points.”