Jonny on the spot as Quakers take an away point
SOUTHPORT DARLINGTON 0 0
DARLINGTON came away from Haig Avenue with a point thanks to a superb performance by keeper Jonny Maddison.
The former Sunderland youth player saved a penalty and pulled off several other good saves as he kept his second successive clean sheet.
Southport nearly took the lead on 11 minutes, but Bradley Bauress hit the post with a left foot shot from the edge of the box, then Maddison saved well at close range from Davern Green.
But Quakers responded when Stephen Thompson set up Jordan Nicholson, and his curling left foot shot was saved by Southport keeper Daniel Hanford.
After Dion Charles had an effort blocked by Jonny Burn on the Quakers’ line, the visitors had a good spell leading up to half time. Teenager Mitchell Glover, who was a late stand in for the injured David Syers, volleyed just over the bar, then Hanford made an excellent one handed save from a Reece Styche header.
Liam Hughes, who had an excellent game again at centre half, then headed a Glover free kick into the side netting from a tight angle.
Quakers had a loud appeal for a penalty on 50 minutes when Thompson played the ball forward quickly to Nicholson who seemed to be brought down, but referee Scott Simpson waved play on.
But Southport responded at the other end when Green turned in a scramble and had a shot cleared off the line by Glover.
Southport were awarded a penalty on 56 minutes when Darlington defender Burn was adjudged to have pulled down Jake Sampson as they went for a free kick, and the referee pointed to the spot. But Maddison pulled off a magnificent save, diving to his left to keep out Bauress’ spot kick.
The keeper than made another good stop, touching an angled drive from Green around the post and he saved his side again a few minutes later, blocking Jason Gilchrist’s close range effort.
Former Darlington full back Jordan Richards then nearly scored, with a 25 yard free kick that struck the angle of post and crossbar.
Quakers had a late chance when Styche chased a through ball into the box and tried to lift the ball over Hanford, but the keeper saved.