Darlington 2 Morecambe 2

DARLINGTON fans can be forgiven for feeling a sense of dejavu after seeing their side rescue an unlikely point that keeps automatic promotion hopes alive.

Nine days earlier, a Pawel Abbott inspired fightback saw Quakers come from two goals down to beat Grimsby Town.

It was an all too familiar scenario yesterday as Darlington fell behind to two first half goals.

But, this time Dave Penney's men left it late to get something out of the game - and this time they managed it without Abbott.

Jason Kennedy's 84th minute strike appeared to be too little, too late, as Quakers headed for their first back-to-back league defeats this season.

That was until substitute Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu's intervention a minute from normal time earned Darlington a dramatic share of the spoils.

And it is a point that could make all the difference at the end of the season.

Thanks to Ndumbu-Nsungu's late leveller, Quakers moved to within a point of third-placed Hereford United, who slumped to a 2-1 defeat at ten-man Lincoln City.

While the manner in which Quakers avoided another defeat will have left many supporters happy, the bigger picture does not look so rosy on yesterday's evidence.

Because, with the exception of the last six minutes, Darlington were dire and struggled against a well-organised Morecambe.

But, having seen his side show tremendous character to salvage a point, Penney was delighted with his side.

"I looked at the overall performance and I thought we were fantastic," he said.

"The players have been first class all season and it could be a massive point when you look at other results around us.

"You've got to be delighted when you come back from 2-0 down to get something out of the game.

"We did it against Grimsby and won that one, we left it a little bit late today to score but the lads have done very well."

It was hardly the kind of response Penney was looking for after Saturday's defeat at Chester City, but the result means that Quakers are still very much in the hunt for automatic promotion.

"We've nicked a point on the team above us, there's still seven games to go," said Penney.

"We've just got to keep going until the games run out and find out where we are."

The Quakers boss also revealed that striker Tommy Wright's rib injury is not as bad as first feared and he will be fit to face Bradford City at the weekend. He was replaced in the second half after an accidental clash with team-mate Gregg Blundell.

Penney made four changes from the side that lost at Chester, one of which enforced as Blundell came in for hamstring injury victim, Abbott.

The absence of Darlington's record buy was felt in the first half as Penney's men missed several chances in front of goal.

Kennedy was presented with a golden opportunity to score with less than a minute played, but the on-loan Middlesbrough midfielder saw his tame effort from Blundell's cross deflect wide.

Then, on three minutes, the recalled Ryan Valentine whipped over a free-kick and defender Alan White's volley was turned over the bar by Morecambe goalkeeper Scott Davies.

Darlington's profligacy showed no sign of easing when Julian Joachim misdirected an attempted lob with just the keeper to beat.

Quakers paid the price in the 38th minute when Garry Thompson opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Ashington referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in penalising Steve Foster for his challenge on Wayne Curtis.

And for the second successive home game Quakers found themselves trailing by two goals as Jon Newby added a second with a free header from six yards.

Kennedy's performance was much better than his display at Chester and it was his thunderous volley that smashed off the underside of the crossbar early in the second half. He was first to the loose ball too, setting up Wright but he headed over.

Penney introduced Ndumbu- Nsungu on the hour, replacing a less than impressed Blundell.

Thompson came within inches of putting Quakers out of sight when he curled a free-kick narrowly wide.

At the other end Joachim brought a comfortable save out of Scott Davies in the 70th minute during Darlington's best spell of the match.

Kennedy handed Quakers a lifeline with his goal, turning a defending and shooting past the keeper from inside the area.

And the comeback was complete a minute from time when Ndumbu-Nsungu did likewise, receiving the ball with his back to goal before firing home and sparking wild celebrations as fans enjoyed another escape.