Play-offs beckoning for Quakers after another defeat

6:34pm Saturday 12th April 2008

Darlington's season continues to disintegrate after losing for the fifth time in nine games.

It is not yet mathematically certain that automatic promotion is out of the question, but losing 1-0 at home to rivals Hereford means there is now surely too much to do for Dave Penney's out-of-form side.

The manager admitted after what was a must-win match that a top three place was now highly unlikely, so Darlington must now hope it will be third time lucky having twice lost in the play-off final.

But they are finishing the season in very poor form. They have won only once in nine games which is a run that has seen Quakers nosedive down the League Two table.

With only three games to play they are now four points off third-placed Hereford, who have two games in hand, and are aware that even a top seven place is not yet secure.

Darlington are seven points ahead of eighth-placed Chesterfield who Quakers travel to next week.

A second half goal from Hereford striker Gary Hooper was enough to seal a priceless three points for the visitors, one of several good chances they forced while Darlington were, again, not at their best.

But they did have two strong appeals for penalties with Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu and Rob Purdie both appearing to have been fouled in the penalty are but no spot kick was given.

Quakers' best opportunity fell to Micky Cummins who saw a powerful header tipped over the bar by keeper Wayne Brown just before half time.

The only goal came in the 69th minutes after Hooper saw his first shot saved by Quakers keeper David Stockdale but the rebound fell to the striker who kept his composure to fire home.

Darlington piled on the pressure in the closing stages but never looked threatening and Penney will be keeping his fingers crossed that injured forwards - Pawel Abbott, Gregg Blundell and Julian Joachim - will return in time in for the play-offs.

Darlington (4-4-2): Stockdale; Austin, White, Foster, Valentine; Purdie, Kennedy, Cummins, Parker; Wright, Ndumbu-Nsungu.

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