Aldershot 2-1 Darlington

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Posted at 09:03 PM GMT, Sunday, 7th September 2008

A poor opening half an hour cost Darlington any real chance they had of taking three points from the Recreation Ground. Having hammered Macclesfield Town the previous weekend Quakers were unable to record a second win in a row away from home. The hosts set the tone for the majority of the first half with a good display.

With only seven minutes on the clock Marvin Morgan headed his team in front from a corner kick. The former Woking forward was a constant menace for the visitors, who were in-debt to keeper Simon Brown. The on loan Brentford keeper did well to keep out John Grant's shot moments before the the home side took the lead. Aldershot continued to run the game and should have added a second to their scoreline when Grant woefully fired over the crossbar from just eight yards out.

Darlington, who made three changes to the side that romped to victory at Moss Rose, always appeared likely to go further behind and they did just that close to the half hour mark. Louie Soares got on the end of a good ball and managed to cut inside. He took skipper Steve Foster out of his way with a neat turn and dispatched past Brown inside the far post. It was an excellent goal and one that was thoroughly deserved.

Quakers changed shape and switched to 4-4-2. Straight away they appeared a better side and right on the stroke of half time they managed to cut into Aldershot's advantage. Striker Billy Clarke found Gregg Blundell who reached the byline and crossed low to the near post where Robin Hulbert pushed the ball home. Darlington continued their improvement after the break.

Blundell found himself with the ball inside the Shots penalty area after Jason Kennedy had failed to control a cross. His shot however rolled harmlessly into the hands of Nikki Bull. Quakers continued to press and passed up a superb chance on sixty-four minutes to pull themselves level. Clarke managed to hook a shot, which was going well wide, from Ricky Ravenhill back into the middle where Foster could only plant his header straight at Bull.

Darlington continued to press for an equaliser as Clarke hit the side netting. The home side though might have sealed their points late in the game. Scott Davies was denied by Brown but the ball fell to Soares. He failed to make the most of the chance and blasted over. Quakers poured forward as time ran out and Adam Proudlock, who came on as substitute, inadvertently blocked an effort from Clarke.

Aldershot's Danny Hylton nearly extended the his team's lead but a third probably would have been harsh on Darlington given their efforts in the second half. However their opening thirty minutes meant they were not deserving of much more than what they got.

Aldershot: Bull, Osborne, Blackburn (Newman 46), Charles, Straker, Soares, Chalmers, Donnelly (Davies 64), Harding, Grant, Morgan (Hylton 72). Subs Not Used: Elvins, Hudson.

Darlington: Brown, Austin (Proudlock 79), White, Foster, Purdie, Hulbert (Poole 63), Kennedy, Valentine (Griffin 57), Ravenhill, Blundell, Clarke. Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Miller.

Aldershot bookings: None.

Darlington bookings: Ravenhill.

Goals: Morgan 7th min (0-1), Soares 27th min (0-2), Hulbert 45th min (1-2).

Att: 3,460.