Darlington denied in injury time

5:14pm Saturday 22nd November 2008

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BRENTFORD 1 DARLINGTON 1

A weakened Darlington team put the shock midweek defeat to Droylsden behind them by extending their undefeated league run to nine matches – but they were so close to equalling a club record.

A second half goal from Richie Foran appeared set to make it six consecutive league wins, a record that has stood since the 1999/2000 season.

But two minutes into injury time a scrappy Brentford goal denied Darlington victory and meant they slipped from the top of League Two to second.

But such are Quakers' injury problems that before kick-off they would have been satisfied with a point against a fellow promotion-chasing side.

With so many first-choice players unavailable, Darlington started with a 4-5-1 formation, a system used occasionally at the start of the season with mixed results.

Richie Foran played as the lone striker as Liam Hatch continues to recover from his neck injury while Billy Clarke is still struggling with a hamstring strain.

On loan Clarke has been receiving treatment at parent club Ipswich Town from whom Brentford striker Dean Bowditch is also on loan.

He had the game's first effort at goal, from an angle Bowditch curled wide of Andy Oakes' goal.

Oakes continued in goal having started his first game of the season at Droylsden, but manager Dave Penney made three changes from the side which lost on Tuesday.

Ian Miller was dropped against the club that he turned down a loan approach from in favour of signing for Quakers in the summer of 2007, so in came Tim Ryan while Franz Burgmeier and Robin Hulbert also started.

A first time Hulbert pass saw Darlington's first opportunity after 18 minutes. Jason Kennedy held off a couple of challenges in Brentford's penalty area before Rob Purdie had a shot blocked from close-range.

Quakers claimed it had been blocked by a hand, and they would have felt even more aggrieved had a Bowditch shot on the turn not missed the target by inches just seconds later.

By the midway stage of the first half the contest between two teams in the top five had been even, but the hosts almost took the lead when Oakes was beaten to a high ball.

The keeper came to collect a Glenn Poole free-kick but right-back Karleigh Osborne got there first and his glancing header flew narrowly wide.

Although the Bees slightly edged the possession, Darlington were playing the ball around well in midfield but were struggling to create scoring opportunities and the lack Hatch's aerial threat was evident.

A Burgmeier free-kick drifted just above Alan White's head and at the other end a Brentford free-kick resulted in Oakes saving easily from centre-back Mark Phillips who played seven games on loan for Darlington towards the end of the 2006/07 season.

Having earned his 50th Liechtenstein cap in midweek, at the beginning of the second half Burgmeier marked his return to Darlington action by earning a booking.

His foul on Marcus Bean gave left-winger a shooting opportunity which he blasted a yard over Darlington's goal.

It proved to be the beginning of a spell of pressure that almost brought a Brentford goal in the 58th minute.

Adam Newton cut in from the right and a venomous shot was blocked at the near post by Oakes and rebounded to Charlie MacDonald who could not react in time to prevent the ball bouncing off him and going out for a goal kick.

But Darlington responded superbly the Brentford pressure by opening the scoring through Foran at a free-kick from Burgmeier.

The Liechtensteiner has earned a reputation for his superb dead-ball delivery and his cross to the far post was headed in by Foran to the delight of the 410 Darlington fans behind the goal.

The Irishman made his Darlington debut in the 2-0 win at Brentford almost exactly a year ago, and only six minutes later he spurned a great chance to match that scoreline.

After intercepting a careless Brentford pass, Foran headed for goal and shot low at Ben Hamer who saved the effort and then Foran dwelled on the rebound and wasted the opportunity to pass to Kennedy on the six-yard line.

With Ricky Ravenhill off the field receiving treatment for an injury, Darlington were down to ten men when they created another good scoring chance.

Purdie raced up the right and blasted the ball across goal just too far ahead of the onrushing Foran, and then seconds later Brentford sub Sam Wood shot narrowly wide from 18 yards as the hosts looked for an equaliser.

Teenage striker Curtis Main came on for the injured Ravenhill as Quakers switched to a 4-4-2 formation but they were suddenly under considerable pressure.

The Bees found most joy in attacking down the flanks and from Darlington's right-back area almost came a levelling goal.

Main made a challenge on Ryan Dickson but it was not enough, allowing Dickson to deliver low to the near post where sub Nathan Elder turned the ball into the side-netting.

So close was the chance that some fans felt Elder had scored.

It was a narrow escape for Darlington, but two minutes into injury time came heartbreak for Quakers.

A Wood free-kick was launched into Darlington's penalty area where a mass of players contested the ball before Karleigh Osborne scrambled it over the line.

Brentford may have felt they had deserved the draw, but it was the second time this season Darlington had seen three points turn into one in injury time.

They also conceded an injury time leveller at Wycombe Wanderers who now become League Two leaders thanks to beating Port Vale.

But Quakers can take some consolation from the fact they are now unbeaten in nine league games and will aim to return to the top of the table at home to Chester City on Tuesday.

Goals: Foran (0-1, 60mins); Osborne (1-1, 90)

Bookings: Ravenhill (31mins dissent), Burgmeier (50, foul); Osborne (59, foul); Oakes (80, time-wasting), Foran (90, foul)

Referee: James Linington (Newport)

Attendance: 4,837

Brentford (4-4-2): Hamer; Osborne, Bennett, Phillips, Dickson; Newton (Elder 64mins), Bean, O'Connor, Poole (Wood 73); Bowditch, MacDonald. Subs (not used): Anderson, Johnson, Pead

Darlington (4-4-2): Oakes; Austin, White, Ryan, Valentine; Purdie, Hulbert, Ravenhill (Main 73mins), Kennedy, Burgmeier (Miller 87); Foran. Subs (not used): Kazimierczak, Blundell, Griffin