Leeds United 2 Darlington 1

Darlington manager Steve Staunton was an interested spectator in the stands at Elland Road last night. He will have been satisfied with his new players despite watching Quakers go down 2-1 to Leeds United.

The former Republic of Ireland boss, appointed on Monday, was with assistant Kevin Richardson and saw a determined Darlington knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the second round stage.

Despite being 2-0 down after half an hour, Staunton will have been pleased Quakers demonstrated the fighting qualities that will be required in the relegation battle ahead.

The League One leaders had threatened to overpower Darlington with Andy Robinson and Tresor Kandol scoring first half goals before Mark Convery pulled one back.

But Quakers were much-improved after the break. They came close to an equaliser, were denied a penalty and had debutant keeper Liversedge">Nick Liversedge sent off at the end of a memorable evening.

Caretaker manager Craig Liddle admitted he was proud of the team’s performance in his last game before handing over to Staunton who addressed the players in the dressing room before and after the game.

“After that first 20 minutes it was a really good performance at a club who are top of League One,” said Liddle.

“We frustrated Leeds and that allowed our players to get on the ball and express themselves.

“Without getting carried away, myself and Neil Maddison are extremely proud of the players tonight.

“We were two down and up against it, but everyone in that dressing room can feel proud and I think the new manager will take a lot of positives from tonight.”

Liddle employed an experimental 3-5-2 formation but most notable was the inclusion of teenager Liversedge in goal with Russell Hoult denied permission to play from parent club Notts County.

Twice in the space of five minutes early on Liversedge was called on to stop Kandol headers with Leeds, probably aware it was his debut, putting the youngster under sustained pressure.

Aidan White and Robinson were both off-target from the edge of the penalty area, but then came a quickfire double.

Robinson made it 1-0 by firing home at the near post, although Darlington’s Gary Smith got the last touch, and on 28 minutes Kandol raced away from Ian Miller to latch on to a through-ball before firing home.

Darlington quickly switched to 4-5-1 with Matt Plummer making way for Convery and in first half injury time he pulled one back.

Jamie Devitt, Quakers’ source of inspiration at the moment, played the ball into Leeds’ six-yard area where Convery flicked an effort past Casper Ankergren.

It came out of the blue, and after the restart the hosts went in search of restoring their two-goal advantage but Liversedge did well to palm away White’s low drive.

He then tipped away Enoch Showunmi’s powerful effort with the debutant growing in confidence as the game progressed.

Similarly, Darlington also grew in belief and striker Kevin Gall was not far away with a 20-yard effort.

But the game ended on a sour note as Liversedge was shown a red card. He brought Showunmi down outside the penalty area and despite Miller covering referee Rob Shoebridge flashed a red card.

Matchfacts

Goals: 0-1 (25, Robinson), 0-2 (28, Kandol); 1-2 (45, Convery)
Bookings: None
Sending-off: Liversedge (90, professional foul)
Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derby) 5
Attendance: 8,421
Entertainment: ✰✰✰

LEEDS UNITED (4-4-2): Ankergren 5; Bromby 6, Michalik 7, Naylor 7, Hughes 6 (Johnson 80); ROBINSON 7, Prutton 6, Kilkenny 6, White; Kandol 7 (Showunmi 45), Grella 6 (Somma 70). Subs (not used): Jones (gk), Beckford

DARLINGTON (3-5-2): Liversedge 7; Plummer 4 (Convery 31), Foster 7, Miller 6; Arnison 7, Barnes 7, G Smith 5, Groves 6 (Bennett 54, 7), J Smith 6; Devitt 6 (Main 88), Gall 7. Subs (not used): Knight (gk), Bains

MAN OF THE MATCH
MARK Convery – staked claim for a starting spot