Notts County 4 Darlington 0

DARLINGTON took another thumping as they crashed 4-0 at big-spending Notts County last night.

Quakers boss Steve Staunton made five changes from the side crushed 4-0 last week at home by Morecambe and although there was a marginal improvement in performance, the changes made no difference to the scoreline as Quakers crumbled to an early onslaught.

Staunton was left angry by the first half which saw Notts County 3-0 up after only 17 minutes.

Although a determined Darlington made a fight of it after the break, they looked on course for defeat from an early stage.

“There were positives in the second half but not in the first half,” said a frustrated Staunton.

“For 20-25 minutes we were all over the place, every time they went forward they looked like scoring.

“I can’t work out why because we have worked on the defensive side of the game for three or four days.

“It seems to take us until we are two or 3-0 down before we play with any meaning, any purpose.”

Keeper Ashlee Jones was one of three debutants – alongside Paul Harsley and Danny Hall – but he endured a nightmare first appearance as he was partially responsible for the first and last goals at Meadow Lane.

He conceded three inside six first half minutes, the first coming in the 12th minute when he rushed off his line but completely missed a Notts County through-ball.

That allowed in Lee Rodgers to tap into an empty net and two minutes later Lee Hughes added a second.

The former West Brom striker headed home Craig Westcarr’s right-wing cross at the far post and any hope Quakers had was extinguished just three minutes later.

At the end of a swift counter-attack Rodgers crossed for the unmarked Ben Davies to tap home to make it 3-0 and spell a ninth defeat in ten away games.

Ironically, it was Darlington who had had the first shot on target. After being played in by Jonathan Hogg, Mor Diop’s effort was easily saved by keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Thirty seconds later and Rodgers had opened the scoring and thereafter the Magpies were in control.

Staunton’s changes included Danny Groves at right-back, in place of Corey Barnes, plus debutants Paul Harsley and Danny Hall.

Hall, playing at a ground where he was sent off last season, came close to reducing the first half arrears when headed narrowly over on 50 minutes after meeting Jeff Smith’s corner as Darlington showed some fight.

Schmeichel made two good saves in quick succession, from Smith and Harsley, before Staunton sent on Lee Thorpe.

Darlington did manage several second half raids into opposition territory but didn’t possess the quality required to break down an experienced side which could have scored more if they hadn’t taken their foot off the pedal.

But with ten minutes to go came the fourth with Hughes adding his second with Jones again at fault.

He needlessly attempted to collect a Magpies throughball on the edge of his own area that Hughes beat him to before executing a fine lob to complete the scoring.

Quakers have now conceded 13 goals in three games and further misery for Darlington came courtesy of Torquay who, third bottom before last night, won 3-0 at home to Cheltenham.

Matchfacts

Goals: Rodgers (12, 1-0), Hughes (14, 2-0; 80, 4-0), Davies (17, 3-0)
Bookings: Thompson (22, foul); Thorpe (81, foul)
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston)
Attendance: 4,606
Entertainment: ✰✰

NOTTS COUNTY (4-4-2): Schmeichel 6; Moloney 6, Lee 7, Thompson 6, Clapham 6; Westcarr 6 (Hamshaw 68, 5), Ravenhill 7, Davies 7, Ritchie 7 (Fox 86); HUGHES 8, Rodgers 7 (Hawley 63, 5). Subs (not used): Hoult (gk), Edwards, Jones, Akinbiyi

DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Jones 4; Groves 6, Miller 6, Hall 5, Giddings 5; Thomas 4 (Gray 56), Harsley 5, Hogg 5, J Smith 5; Collins 6, Diop 6 (Thorpe 56). Subs (not used): Liversedge (gk), Bower, G Smith, Mulligan, Main

MAN OF THE MATCH
 LEE Hughes – too good for this division