By Martin Walker
Darlington slipped into the relegation places with a 1-0 defeat at home to Stockport County.
Alfreton Town’s 0-0 draw at home to AFC Telford United was enough for them to leapfrog Darlo after a frustrating afternoon at the Northern Echo Arena.
A crowd of just over 2,200 watched Craig Liddle’s side lose their 17th game of the season and stretch their winless run to 10 games.
Danny L Rowe’s 60th-minute penalty secured Stockport’s first back-to-back win since February 2009, and served as a double blow after Rob Ramshaw’s sending off for two yellow cards.
With 11 games to go and Liddle’s embattled squad struggling for confidence, it’s difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel tonight.
After a really quiet start, Darlo produced a decent move in the 13th minute when debutant Drewe Broughton nodded a long ball into the path of the onrunning John McReady, but the young midfielder couldn’t connect fully with his left-footed effort.
Sean McConville might have done better to force a save from Jordan Pickford in the 16th minute when he was perfectly placed for Danny M Rowe’s left-wing cross, but his tame header was easily gathered by the Sunderland loanee ‘keeper.
Danny L Rowe should have put the visitors ahead four minutes later when Tom Elliot flicked on Ian Ormson’s long ball, but Rowe fluffed his attempted lob straight into Pickford’s hands.
Stockport had the ball in the net after 23 minutes, but Danny L Rowe’s goal wasn’t allowed after Elliott was judged to have fouled Pickford when they both challenged a cross into the box. It seemed a fortunate decision for Quakers.
Elliot headed just wide from Matty Mainwairing’s left-sided free-kick on the half-hour mark after Arnison fouled Danny M Rowe mid-way into the Darlo half.
McConville then had Pickford beaten in the 33rd minute, but he was saved by the woodwork. Quakers failed to clear three straight corners and McConville found space just inside the area before his delightful chip came back off the crossbar.
McConville should have done better again three minutes later when Stockport attacked. Elliot laid off for the right winger in a handy position near the right corner of the box, but his poor shot was easily saved.
The away side were having the better of it and Jon Nolan put Elliot in with a brilliant through-ball, but the big forward hesitated and squandered his chance as Darlo cleared.
Quakers improved towards the break and their best effort came in the 45th minute when McReady pushed forward before flashing a left-footed shot just wide of Ormson’s left-hand post, with the County keeper scrambling across his line.
Elliot went close to an opener five minutes into the second half when he flew himself at Danny L Rowe’s right-sided corner, but his diving header was wide.
Danny L Rowe forced a save from Pickford in the 52nd minute after he was able to walk through midfield far too easily by Darlo, but Rowe’s eventual effort at goal was soft.
Bowman did well in the 54th minute when he found space down the right wing and sent in a low cross for McReady, but Ormson did well to gather under pressure.
Stockport took the lead after referee Ross Joyce awarded a penalty when Ramshaw tripped Nolan inside the area. Darlo probably didn’t have an argument with the spot-kick – which was emphatically hammered home by Danny L Rowe on the hour – but Ramshaw’s second yellow card and subsequent sending off was harsh on the youngster, and probably summed up Darlington’s season.
Arnison stormed forward in the 70th minute and played a smart quick ball out to Bowman on the right, but his low cross was cleared by Stockport.
Broughton went close to scoring on his debut when Arnison and Brown took a quick corner and Brown whipped a great ball into the box, but the big striker headed over.
Darlington: Pickford, Arnison, Brown, Harrion, K Taylor, McReady, Bridge-Wilkinson, Ramshaw, Wainwright (Keltie, 68), Broughton, Bowman. Unused: Ferguson, Lambert, Nixon.
Attendance: 2,202.