Darlington suffer extra time heartache

10:19am Wednesday 27th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Watford 2 Darlington 1 (aet, 1-1 after 90 mins)

• VIEW MATCH FACTS HERE

DARLINGTON slipped to an undeserved defeat in extra time at Championship outfit Watford last night, with a performance that belied their status in League Two.

Damien Francis fortunately put the Championship hosts ahead eight minutes before half-time after a shot had deflected into his path.

The goal was harsh on Quakers who played some patient football and looked the better side throughout, but they forced extra time when Gregg Blundell latched on to Adam Griffin’s ball to deftly lob Scott Loach with seconds remaining in normal time.

Darlington were again the aggressors in extra time but Watford stole victory when John-Joe O’Toole lashed high into the net on 116 minutes.

Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd admitted his side were lucky.

‘‘I’m just pleased to be in the next round. I’ve got to give Dave Penney and his side a lot of credit because they were the better side for long periods,’’ admitted Boothroyd.

‘‘It took a little bit longer than we would have expected but we should have closed the game out.”

Penney felt his side warranted a shot at penalties after bossing the last hour of the tie, he said: ‘‘I’m sick of playing well and getting beat – it’s the same old story for us.

I would rather play crap and win a game but the positive side is that we played well.

‘‘We had faith that we would get an equaliser and their goalkeeper made some excellent saves.

‘‘But we are back to concentrate on our bread and butter now and look to get promotion to League One.’’ The game had started with Quakers keeper Simon Brown called into action on three minutes as Tamas Priskin let fly, while at the other end Jason Kennedy almost put Darlington ahead.

Clarke engineered some space on the by-line to cut back for Kennedy who placed the ball over from 15 yards.

Looking composed, Darlington threatened again on 11 minutes when Franz Burgmeier, one of four changes to the line-up, delivered an inviting cross from the left which the stretching Blundell was inches away from connecting with.

Eager to make an impression on his first start in English football, Liechtenstein international Burgmeier was a lively presence on the left of Quakers’ front three and he almost left Loach red faced when his shot from 25 yards was slipped through his grasp.

Back came the Championship side, though, and Darlington were lucky not to concede when Lewis Young’s volley was cleared in front of goal by a combination of bodies.

Quakers had defended solidly and were unfortunate to fall behind on 37 minutes.

A speculative shot from 25 yards ricocheted into the path of Francis in space, and with Darlington appealing for offside, Francis rolled the ball home.

Unperturbed, Quakers immediately went about restoring parity, Hulbert firing over following a scramble.

However, in added time at the end of the first half, Francis should have claimed his second when he shot wide of the near post following a swift Hornets counter.

The home fans were growing uneasy at their side’s inability to kill off the game and it was Darlintgon who began to put the Hornets on to the back foot.

Another Burgmeier centre was too long for Blundell but the recalled striker soon broke away to level.

And then Clarke wasted a great chance to win the game before before extra time.

Getting the better off Leigh Bromby outside the area, the on-loan striker only had to beat Loach but he placed his shot wide of the post.

Neil Austin sliced wide midway through the second period but the Hornets had the final say when O’Toole fired in although Griffin very nearly levelled when he shot straight at Loach having cut inside his marker.