Darlington’s poor defending costs them another defeat to Hyde

Seven days after losing 3-1 to Hyde United in the FA Cup, the same lowly opposition left the North-East with a 3-2 victory which again saw Quakers contribute to their own downfall.

They recovered from being 2-0 down to deservedly make it 2-2, playing well in periods, but did not make the most of the momentum and threw the draw away in the final minute, all three goals woefully defended with Hyde striker Scott Spencer helping himself to a hat-trick.

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DARLO DIARY: Not playing our best defender in defence is insane

The first of his goals was due to non-existent marking in a game that confirmed Darlington’s defensive frailties.

They have now conceded 15 goals in ten league and FA Cup games, keeping only two clean sheets in that time and need a swift improvement starting with this evening’s trip to Ilkeston when manager Martin Gray must be contemplating changes.

The most obvious would be the much-needed return of Alan White, work commitments permitting, to the centre of defence, though the fans remain oblivious to the manager’s views.

For the second week running and again without explanation he chose not to speak publicly post-match.

Instead, assistant manager Brian Atkinson was saddled with the task of explaining the defeat.

“It was another disappointing performance and we cannot keep giving ourselves a mountain to climb like we did again today,” he admitted.

“We got back into the game, then a sucker punch cost us a point. We’re making individual errors, what can we do about that? The one thing we will do is that we will all stick together.

“It’s individual errors that cost you and if you don’t take your chances you don’t win games. It doesn’t matter level you are, if you’re giving teams two or three goals because of mistakes then you’re going to struggle.”

Hyde, 19th before Saturday, were 1-0 up in the 13th minute, even though Darlington had had the visitors on the back foot.

After a weak Peter Jameson kick, Stephen Thompson was out-jumped in the centre of the pitch leading to debutant Liam Davies passing from the left for Spencer, who had the freedom of the penalty area to tap home.

Quakers’ Tom Portas had a goal ruled out for offside, Nathan Cartman having impeded the goalkeeper said the officials, a decision which Darlington strongly disagreed with.

“It was great play,” said Atkinson. “We’ve had words with the referee and linesman and they say that Nathan was impeding the goalkeeper and was in an offside position, which I find hard to swallow.”

Gray confronted referee Craig Dean about the incident at half-time, by which time it was 2-0.

Darlington had not been able to clear from their penalty area, several players culpable as the ball pinged around, leading to Spencer scoring at close-range.

Quakers recovered from falling 2-0 behind, however, finishing the half stronger and after changing formation to 4-3-3 and making a couple of substitutions they levelled with quick-fire double around the hour mark, Cartman and sub David Dowson scoring.

Cartman scored his fourth of the season, converting at the near post following Adam Mitchell’s low cross, and then Dowson lifted the ball over the keeper following Thompson’s weighted through-ball.

At this point only Quakers looked like winning and they almost added a third in controversial circumstances.

They kept possession at a throw after Hyde had kicked the ball out so Andy Pearson could receive treatment after pretending to be injured. Dowson’s shot from the resulting attack went over, possibly just as well because Hyde were incensed.

“I don’t think it was good etiquette,” said Hyde boss Gary Lowe. “People make these decisions in a split second and I wouldn’t like my players to do that, but it’s gone now.”

Hyde finished stronger, however. Not for the first time Darlington’s defence was caught flatfooted when Ayrton Bevins got away from Kevin Burgess, and although the shot was wide, there was worse was to come.

In the final minute the usually reliable Portas gave ball away to Bevins and he played in Spencer to complete his hat-trick from 18 yards.

Losing the point stopped Darlington leapfrogging leaders Blyth.

“If you look at the majority of the game, we had a lot of possession and there was some good play at times,” added Atkinson.

“We were on the front foot and got the ball down the sides and created a lot of chances. Then Tom Portas made a square pass, their lad intercepted it and they score. That’s football.

“The good thing is that we’ve got a game on Monday night and we’ve got to put things right.”