Darlington rescued by class act Abbott

5:43pm Saturday 15th March 2008

Darlington 3 Grimsby 2

'VALUE for money' was how Darlington manager Dave Penney summed up Saturday's win over Grimsby Town - and the performance of Pawel Abbott was worth the entrance fee alone.

The Darlington Arena has staged few classier individual performances than the one witnessed on Saturday as Abbott almost single-handedly rescued Quakers from what looked like certain defeat.

After 29 minutes of complete dross, it wasn't until two goals in the space of a minute from Martin Butler that proceedings were given a much-needed kiss of life.

And, before Quakers fans could even begin to express their displeasure, Abbott had other ideas.

If ever there was a goal to inspire a team then Abbott's 33rd minute strike was it.

There didn't appear to be any real danger when the striker surprised everybody in the ground by smartly curling into the top corner of the net from an angle.

It was a goal worthy of winning any contest, and when he volleyed in at the back post from Jason Kennedy's fortuitous cross to level on the stroke of half-time, there was only going to be one winner.

That was not before Abbott had already gone close on three occasions as Darlington's club record signing took matters into his own hands.

Injury has cost Quakers of one of their most talented players this season.

But Abbott now feels he is close to full fitness - and it could not have come at a better time.

The striker is looking stronger with every game and there were few question marks over his fitness on Saturday.

And, after Tommy Wright capped a remarkable comeback with his 14th goal of the season in the 64th minute, Abbott was given a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the game.

"I think if you'd come here today, you'll certainly have got value for money," said Penney. "I thought we thoroughly deserved to win."

And the Quakers boss believes fans will now begin to see the best of Abbott following his injury problems this season.

He added: "Pawel was first class, he's a player who is really on top of his game.

"I think you can see that he has been restricted with his injury and he has tried to play through it. He finally had the operation and was out for six weeks, but we can see now that he is fitter than he has ever been since he's been at the club.

"I'm delighted with his goals and I was delighted with his performance.

"Once he'd had two 90 minutes under his belt (against Chester and Wycombe) we thought it was right to leave him out at Shrewsbury and bring him back nice and fresh for today."

It was the first time this season that Darlington had fought from behind to win a game.

And Penney felt the timing of Abbott's first goal, so soon after Grimsby doubled their advantage, was crucial in keeping supporters on their side.

"It is pleasing to come back, especially after being 2-0 down,"

said Penney. "It could have gone either way. The crowd could have turned and got on our back, but we got a good goal straight away and scored again just before halftime.

"We got the crowd behind us for the first time in a long time, they made a great noise and it was great to hear."

As instrumental as Abbott was, Darlington also had goalkeeper David Stockdale to thank for preserving their lead.

First, he was at full stretch to push away Peter Till's drive shortly after Wright's strike.

And, with the game deep in injury time, Stockdale denied James Hunt with a save at his near post.

Quakers stay fourth after third-placed Hereford had an own goal to thank for their win at home to Wycombe.

With Darlington holding a seven-point advantage over the team below them - Stockport - automatic promotion appears to be a four-horse race.

"It's going to go right down to the wire and it's important that we keep picking points up," said Penney. We were poor at Wycombe and deserved to get beat, and we were unlucky not to win at Shrewsbury, so it was important that we got back to winning ways today.

"What will be will be and we can only take care of ourselves.

"It looks as though it's between us and the three teams above us and there'll no doubt be a few more twists and turns between now and the end of the season."

Darlington: Stockdale; Austin, Miller, Foster, Parker; Joachim, Kennedy, Cummins (Valentine 80), Purdie; Abbott (Blundell 85), Wright (Ndumbu-Nsungu 85). Subs (not used): Liversedge, Hodge

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Gr. Manchester)

Watch the match highlights from Monday, March 17

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