Southend 2 Darlington 1

Goals: Lambert 39 seconds 0-1, Cardwell 6 mins 1-1, 90+3 minutes 2-1

Quakers went out of the FA Trophy to a heartbreaking stoppage time winner.

They showed huge amounts of character to match Southend to keep the home side out throughout the game -- and nearly score the winner themselves -- but they were beaten in the third minute of stoppage time, just when it seemed they would hold on for a penalty shootout.

Buut they deserved all the cheers from the 369 visiting fans, whose support was non stop throughout the game.

Here are the reactions from Jacob Hazel and Danny Rose

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/reaction-to-southend-united-defeat

and on audio, Alun's reaction

Quakers got off to a great start, the ball was threaded through the defence by Kallum Griffiths for Jack Lambert, who coolly controlled the ball and beat Noukeu from ten yards after 39 seconds -- his 15th goal of the season!

The travelling fans behind the goal went crazy.

But Southend levelled after 6 minutes when the ball came in from the right for Harry Cardwell to head low past keeper Tommy Taylor.

Southend went in search of a second, but there were some good interceptions in the heart of the Darlington defence. Quakers withstood that pressure, and slowly got back into the game.

Southend won a free kick on the right on 23 minutes for which Adriano Moke was booked, but Miley’s inswinging free kick went through to Taylor.

Quakers though kept their composure, and didn’t allow Southend any chances.

They won a free kick on the left on 34 minutes which Lambert hoisted over to the far post, but the ball went over everyone for a goal kick, then Kaine Felix crossed from the right a minute later, but Noukeu held on to the ball in the middle.

Quakers thought that Ralph should have had a red card when he tripped Hazel as they were chasing a long ball, but the referee only showed yellow.

Quakers nearly scored on 43 minutes. Ben Hedley did really well to hold off three defenders on the left and crossed to the far post, where Mark Beck and Jacob Hazel were just unable to get a touch.

Southend got a free kick just outside the box in stoppage time, but Cardwell curled the ball over the top.

Half time

Southend 1 Darlington 1

Southend nearly scored at the start of the second half. A cross by Jack Bridge was headed clear to Noor Hosin, who struck a low left foot shot that Taylor saved at full stretch down to his right.

Bridge then set up Miley on the edge of the box, and he curled a left foot effort into Taylor’s hands.

Undaunted, Quakers won a corner on 51 minutes, but Southend cleared the ball at the near post

Southend won a corner at the other end on 53 minutes, and Taylor just managed to fist the ball away under his crossbar before the referee awarded a free kick.

Quakers were forced into a sub on 58 minutes when Almond went off injured, so Ben Liddle came on and Purver, who had done a great job in midfield, went into the centre of defence.

Once play resumed, the ball was crossed from the right for Cardwell to head well wide.

Southend attacked down the left on 60 minutes, but Powell’s shot was deflected wide, then in their next attack, Bridge’s shot took two deflections but Taylor saved with his feet.

Miley then found space in the box, but Taylor just managed to palm his shot away.

Southend missed a great chance on 66 minutes when the ball was crossed from the left, and Powell headed into Taylor’s hands.

But Quakers nearly nicked a goal when the ball came into the Southend box from the left, and Beck headed just wide, although the assistant’s flag went up.

And Quakers nearly scored when Moke found Griffiths moving up on the right, and he hit a low right foot shot that the keeper saved to hos right.

Lambert tried his luck from 30 yards with a first time shot that the keeper saved, then Quakers regained possession through Felix, and his right foot shot took a deflection before Noukeu saved.

Southend won a corner on 80 minutes, which Cardwell headed over the top.

But Quakers kept digging deep and counter-attacking, and nearly scored on 81 minutes when Griffiths found Hazel running into the box, and even though the angle was tight, he hit a right foot shot that the keeper just managed to touch over the bar.

Southend nearly scored on 85 minutes . Bridge got round the back and set up Murphy, who sidefooted against the post.

But after Southend hit the bar from a right wing cross, Quakers broke, and Noukeu headed clear from outside his own box.

Quakers won possession again, and Hazel broke clear, but the keeper blocked his shot, and then his follow up was cleared off the line.

But Southend won it in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Husin crossed from the left, and the ball beat everybody except Cardwell, who touched it past Taylor at the far post. They kept battling away right to the end and had a late corner, but they couldn't break through.

They fully deserved the standing ovation from their fans at the end of the game.

Team: 

Taylor, Griffiths, Almond (sub Liddle 58), Sukar, Hedley, Moke (sub Rose 88), Purver, Lambert, Beck, Hazel, Felix

Subs:, Martin, Liddle, McMann, Groom

Bookings: Moke, Felix

Southend

Nou-Noukeu, Demetrion, Lopata, Kensdale, Ralp, Bridge, Taylor, miley, Husin, Cardwell, Powell (sub Murphy 67)

Subs Purcell, Lomas, Hobson, Fonguck Clifford, Hyde

Booking Lopata