Darlington 2-1 Bradford City

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Posted at 12:33 AM GMT, Tuesday, 21st October 2008

An action packed final ten minutes saw Darlington take three points against Bradford City. The Bantams have been cast as one of the pre-season favourites to win promotion from League Two but once again Quakers turned in another excellent performance against so called promotion candidates. Darlington were unlucky to draw with Wycombe Wanderers as they conceded a last gasp penalty but this time they were left celebrating as Franz Burgmeier headed the home side in front at the death.

The closing stages of a great televised encounter saw Quakers grab an eighty-fifth minute lead courtesy of defender Neil Austin's free-kick. Darlington though took too long to refocus. Barely a minute later a panic stricken defence allowed Bradford City substitute Omar Daley to net what appeared to be a decisive equaliser. Dave Penney's men were not about to be stung for a second game in a row by a late goal and instead produced one themselves to finally see off the Bantams as they capped a terrific game in dramatic fashion.

Unlike Wycombe's late leveller at the weekend this goal was thoroughly deserved. Save for a handful of chances, nearly all of which were instigated by former Darlington loan signing Joe Colbeck, Quakers had the better of their opponents all over the field. Were it not for a little more composure in front of goal Darlington would have opened the scoring long before they did. Liam Hatch once again proved an important figure for the home side with former Quakers' defender Matthew Clarke working hard to try and contain the former Barnet man.

Quakers started with ferocious pace and within minutes midfielder Jason Kennedy had two shots on goal. Barry Conlon slid in poorly on defender Alan White after thirteen minutes as the game showed little sign of slowing down. Moments later and Steve Foster latched onto an excellent Billy Clarke pass following great control of a free-kick. The Darlington skipper however could only smash the wide of the mark.

Colbeck was one of the brightest sparks for the away side. The midfielder impressed during his spell with Darlington last season with a number of sizzling performances which helped him re-ignite his City career. On his latest return to the Darlington Arena since that loan spell he looked a menace. On twenty-three minutes his shot towards the far post flashed narrowly wide as Conlon stretched in vain to poke the ball home. Quakers however were the side making all the running and shortly afterwards Burgmeier hit the side netting following a miscued Hatch shot.

The Liechtenstein international was involved again nine minutes before the break. His free-kick led to a header down which Rhys Evans did superbly to keep out. While Darlington had been far the better side during the first period they perhaps could have created a few more openings. They were nearly made to pay minutes after the second half started when Colbeck again caused problems. Another low ball into the area found Conlon inches away from making a connection.

Bradford had already proved forceful beyond the laws of the game on a number of occasions during the opening half and on the hour mark Thomas Moncur scythed down Burgmeier with a horrid tackle to finally earn the game's first yellow card. Darlington continued to create the better openings with Hatch seeing a shot fly just wide and Rob Purdie, unmarked, waste a good effort inside the area.

The game finally delivered goals however in the closing stages - three in a seven minute spell. It was sparked by Austin who fired in a long range free-kick past a despairing Evans. Substitute Daley, a sixty-three minute replacement for Kyle Nix, ensured Darlington's lead lasted less than a minute as he saw a low shot hit the back of the net. There was time for one more twist however as Burgmeier headed in to see Quakers claim a deserved three points.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, White, Foster, Valentine, Purdie, Ravenhill, Kennedy (Hulbert 90), Burgmeier, Clarke (Blundell 83), Hatch. Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Proudlock, Griffin.

Bradford City: Evans, Moncur, Lee, Clarke, O'Brien, Colbeck, Furman, McLaren, Nix (Daley 63), Conlon, Thorne (Michael Boulding 76). Subs Not Used: McLaughlan, Ainge, Arnison.

Darlington bookings: Austin.

Bradford City bookings: Moncur, Daley.

Goals: Austin 84th min (1-0), Daley 85th min (1-1), Burgmeier 90th min (2-1).

Att: 3,034