Darlington 0 Buxton 1

Scorer: Brennan (pen 12 mins 0-1)

Attendance 1195

Thanks to our match sponsors

https://atkinsoncoaches.co.uk/

and our matchball sponsors

https://www.facebook.com/LeadaAutopart/?locale=en_GB

Quakers lost at home for the first time since August when they were beaten by an early penalty against Buxton.

They started slowly and conceded an early penalty, and despite having virtually all of the play after that, couldn’t force an equaliser.

The result means that they drop out of the play off positions.

Buxton had a player booked in the opening minutes, Will Trueman for a late challenge on Will Flint just outside the Darlington penalty area, then after six minutes Tom Platt was booked for a foul.

The Darlington defence was caught flat footed by a through ball on 8 minutes, and Pete Jameson had to come dashing out of his box to block Jonny Johnston’s attempted chip.

But Quakers were caught again on 10 minutes when Johnston broke away, tried to round Jameson but was brought down by the keeper and the ref awarded a penalty,

Luke Brennan tucked away the penalty, with Jameson just unable to keep it out.

They nearly conceded a second on 15 minutes when they lost possession inside their own half, Johnston ran forward and fired wide of the left hand post.

Quakers tried to hit back, and Ben Hedley whipped the ball in from the right but Jack Maskell couldn’t reach it before keeper True Grant.

Then Will Hatfield charged the ball down in midfield, ran into the box and set up Jack Lambert whose right foot shot went over the top.

Some good pressure on the Buxton defence ended with Faulkener nearly putting the ball into his own goal, but Grant pushed the ball out for a corner. When Kelly’s setpiece came back to him, he whipped the ball across the face of goal with nobody able to get a touch.

Another spell of pressure, Quakers’ best so far, saw Hedley hit a left foot shot that went just over the bar.

However, there was concern for Quakers when Jameson was injured when he was going for a free kick, and had to receive treatment, but he was able to continue.

Right on half time, Quakers on a free kick on the left that Kelly whipped into the area, but nobody could get a touch.

Half time 0-1

Quakers forced two corners at the start of the second half, the second ending with a shot by Will Flint from the edge of the area that was blocked.

Kelly won a free kick on the right that he took himself and the ball came out to Hatfield, who fired wide from 25 yards

Quakers had a penalty shout turned down when Maskell tried to turn quickly in the area, but the referee waved play on.

They had another penalty appeal when Lambert was brought down, but the ref gave a free kick just outside, which Hatfield took and was blocked by the wall.

A high ball forward by Flint was cleared as far as Hatfield, who ran on and forced a low save out of Grant.

Quakers made their first sub on 61 minutes, Matty Cornish coming on for Platt.

Kelly always looked dangerous when he crossed, and he put a good ball from the left into the middle where Maskell outjumped Grant, but couldn’t get his header on target.

It was nearly 2-0 though on 73 minutes. A deep corner from the left went to the far post where Burton got in a clean header, but it was cleared off the line.

Quakers made their second sub on 75 minutes, Andrew Nelson coming on for Lambert.

Quakers kept the pressure going, and Hatfield had two shots blocked and the ball came out to Elliot Forbes, who fired over.

Another chance came when Kelly put a free kick into the box where it was flicked on for Maskell, who had his back to goal, to put over the top.

Quakers made another sub, Cameron Salkeld coming on for Flint on 83 minutes.

Then there was an incident in the Buxton technical area in which they had their physio and a player sent off, with Salkeld also booked.

However, Buxton held on for three points which allowed them to climb over Quakers in the table.

Team: Jameson, Hedley, Lees, Forbes, Barrow, Platt (sub Cornish 61), Hatfield, Flint (Salkeld 83), Lambert (sub Nelson 75), Kelly, Maskell

Subs: McGrath, Griffiths

Bookings: Platt 5, Jameson 10, Hedley 41, Salkeld 85