MADDISON PENALTY HEROICS PROVE KEY

SOUTHPORT 0 DARLINGTON 0

GOALKEEPER Jonny Maddison was the Darlington hero with a series of saves to earn a point in a stalemate.

The highlight of Maddison’s exploits was a 57th-minute penalty save from Brad Bauress.

Maddison clawed away the spot-kick from Bauress, whose freekick into the Darlington area led to defender Jon Burn being penalised for hauling down Jack Samson.

The penalty featured in a catalogue of chances created by the home team but they were unable to score.

Bauress was denied by a post in the fifth minute as Southport started with gusto before a shot from Dion Charles was later stopped on the goalline by Burn.

Darlington saw more of the play in the lead-up to half-time but the Sandgrounders had a monopoly on the chances and the second half was one-way traffic.

Liam Hughes made a last-ditch block to deny Green and the Southport attacker shot wide from the rebound as the home team pressed on.

Jordan Richards was also denied by the woodwork as he crashed a 25-yard free-kick against the angle of post and bar after the penalty save from Maddison, who also made late stops to deny substitute the impressive Jason Gilchrist and Charles.

STAR MAN: Jonny Maddison (Darlington) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★