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Darlington 0 Blyth Spartans 0

Attendance 1301

Darlington collected a morale boosting point with a good defensive display against Blyth at Blackwell Meadows.

Quakers have sometimes been sloppy at the back this season and conceded some cheap goals, but they were very good defensively, with new signing Kieran Burton prominent alongside Jake Lawlor and Kallum Griffiths in the back three.

And Quakers could have got all three points if Blyth keeper Alex Mitchell hadn't pulled off a great save from Jake Lawlor just after half time.

Here are Josh's thoughts on the game

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/clean-sheet-and-point-pleases-quakers-boss

Blyth won a corner in the first minute thanks to the pace of Mikael Ndjoli, but the Darlington defence got the ball away.

Blyth knocked the ball around, but Quakers closed them down quite effectively at times.

Quakers had their first chance to cross the ball on 12 minutes through Ben Hedley on the left, but his cross was just too far ahead of Jacob Hazel and Alex Mitchell saved in the Blyth goal.

At the other end, David Robson came quickly off his line to hold a left wing cross from Jack Bodenham.

Quakers had a chance on 19 minutes when the ball was crossed in from the left by Will Hatfield, and Jim Simms’ glancing header went just wide of the post.

Defender Kieran Burton twice neatly broke up Blyth attacks in his own penalty area, as Quakers continued to work hard and stop Blyth from breaking through.

On the half hour mark, Jonny Ngandu had a left foot shot blocked for Quakers, and Blyth swiftly counter attacked through Will McGowan, whose effort deflected up in the air, and Robson held on to the ball on his line.

Blyth had their best chance yet on 35 minutes when Elliott Forbes created space well on the edge of the box and fired towards the bottom right hand corner, but Robson went full length to save.

But after that, the Quakers' defence worked hard and kept the visitors out until half time.

Half time 0-0

Quakers made a sub at the start of the second half, Hayden Lindley, who was signed on the morning of the game, coming on for Jim Simms.

Quakers nearly scored on 47 minutes. They won a free kick on the left that Ngandu floated in for Burton to put a diving header just over the top.

They had another chance on 53 minutes when Will Hatfield’s free kick bounced off a defender in the box, and Jake Lawlor had a low effort well saved by Mitchell.

Blyth responded when McGowan won the ball on the left and tried to curl the ball towards the top left corner, but Robson easily saved.

Blyth hurriedly cleared a left wing corner as Quakers’ confidence grew.

The home side were awarded a free kick for a foul on Hazel just outside the corner of the box on 65 minutes, and Ngandu’s curling free kick was held by Mitchell on his line.

However, Blyth still threatened from distance, and Darren Hickey turned well and fired just over the top from 25 yards..

Quakers made their second sub on 76 minutes when Jarrett Rivers, a former Blyth player, came on Ngandu.

They had a half chance when Platt laid the ball back for Hatfield outside a crowded penalty area, and his first time shot went wide.

Blyth got another free kick on the edge of the box, but again the wall blocked the shot from Hickey.

Quakers made their third sub on 80 minutes when Nelson replaced Hazel.

Quakers kept going, and Ben Hedley had a long range chance on 85 minutes which he put over the top.

The home side remained vigilant over the rest of the game, and kept Blyth out for only the second clean sheet of the season.

Full time 0-0

Robson, Griffiths, Lawlor, Burton, Salkeld, Hedley, Ngandu (sub Rivers 76), Hatfield, Platt, Simms (sub Lindley 46), Hazel (sub Nelson 80)

Subs: Lees, Windass

Booking: Ngandu

Blyth: Mitchell, Evans, Clark, Cousin-Dawson, Bodenham, Hickey, Oliver, Forbes, Ndjoli, Deverdics, McGowan

Subs:Aitken, Joisce, Gordon, Hogan, Arnison

Bookings: Clark, Cousin-Dawson, Hickey

Stats:

Possession Darlington 36% Blyth 64%

Attempts on goal: 8/9

Shots on target: 2/2

Final third entries: 15/39

Corners: 2/4

Throw ins: 18/21

Free kicks conceded 17/17