Darlington 2-1 Port Vale

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Posted at 12:53 PM GMT, Sunday, 14th September 2008

Darlington fought back after going a goal behind to earn their first home win of the season. Luke Rodgers free kick after half an hour put the visitors in control but Quakers showed excellent character to overhaul the deficit. At the centre of nearly everything that was good about Darlington was striker Liam Hatch and winger Fraz Burgmeier. The pair played pivotal roles in Quakers securing the points. Hatch's sheer work rate and arial presence made him a handful all afternoon whilst Burgmeier turned in another good performance on the flank.

The game started quietly. Darlington enjoyed some good possesion during the early stages of the game but there were few chances of any note. On twelve minutes Billy Clarke looked to get onto the end of a ball from the left channel but Vale keeper Joe Anyon did well to rush out and smother the danger. At the opposite end Anthony Griffith's cross was blocked by Steve Foster while Ricky Ravenhill then got his body in the way of Simon Richman's speculative effort from outside the area.

Darlington were forced into a change after twenty-three minutes when Lee Collins crashed into David Poole. It left both players requiring treatment and eventually Adam Griffin replaced the injured Darlington number sixteen. Quakers continued to press forward in search of an opening goal however clear cut chances remained hard to come by. The home side might have been given an opportunity on another day when Louis Dodds upended Poole on the edge of the Vale penalty area. The infringement appeared to be right on the line and could have led to a spot kick.

Vale held firm and close to the half hour mark they took the lead. Rodgers was bundled to the ground on the edge of the area and he dusted himself off to cooly curl a beautiful effort into the top left corner of the net. Darlington's response however was good, albeit somewhat fortunate. A needless free kick was conceded down the left by Port Vale and Burgmeier put the ball into the near post where is somehow found the net. The shot appeared to fly through Anyon however the keeper may have been hindered by Alan White's excellent run to the near post.

Quakers survived a penalty shout from the visitors before half time. On fifty-one minutes Burgmeier, now playing on the right because of Griffin's injury, looked to double his tally but saw a shot go wide. Shortly afterwards former Vale player Robin Hulbert entered the fray in favour of Ricky Ravenhill.

Port Vale had plenty of opportunities to put themselves back into the driving seat during the second half. First Rodgers did well down the right wing and crossed low into the path of Marc Richards who was unable to guide the ball home. Clarke then proceeded to somehow miss after being set up by Hatch. The visitors were in the ascendancy as the half wore on. Rodgers was handed a chance to repeat his free kick effort from the first period but hit the wall whilst Robert Taylor's cross was headed wide by Richards.

Rodgers should have put his side into the lead for a second time when he managed to break clear. However Darlington keeper Simon Brown pulled off a superb save to deny the former Shrewsbury Town forward. It turned out to a crucial moment as on seventy-seven minutes the home side got their noses in front and won the game. A corner kick from Griffin found Hatch completely unmarked and he powered an unstoppable header into the back of the net from six yards out.

Vale continue to search for a goal which would pull them level in the final ten minutes but they could not find it. Quakers were not at their best in this encounter but showed good character to come back into proceedings. Port Vale can point to several missed chances in this game and in truth were worth more than a point. Darlington however are probably overdue a win at the Arena and this result at least gets their home campaign off and running.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, White, Foster, Purdie, Poole (Griffin 23), Kennedy, Ravenhill (Hulbert 58), Burgmeier, Clarke (Blundell 81), Hatch. Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Proudlock.

Port Vale: Anyon, Griffith, McCombe, Prosser, Collins, Richman (Perry 87), Taiwo (Davidson 71), Howland, Dodds (Taylor 61), Richards, Rodgers. Subs Not Used: Martin, Lawrie.

Darlington bookings: None.

Port Vale bookings: Richman, Prosser, Collins.

Goals: Rodgers 28th min (0-1), Burgmeier 38th min (1-1), Hatch 77th min (2-1).

Att: 3,040.