Aldershot 3 Darlington 1

Aug 9 2009 Sunday Sun

Darlington were glad of the half-time break, but didn’t use it to sort out their problems. Just two minutes into the second half, Kirk Hudson raced away to cross for Louie Sores who fired home at the far post.

Darlington needed to make changes and introduced on-loan Sunderland duo Jamie Chandler and David Dowson, who added much-needed pace. Darlington started to gain possession in the Aldershot half, and veteran player-coach Dean Windass saw his free kick palmed away at full stretch by keeper Jaimez-Uriz.

Dowson stung the keeper’s hands with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area, then in the 84th minute pulled a goal back with a confident right-foot shot after Windass had sent him clear.

Ian Miller headed narrowly over as Darlington looked for an unlikely comeback.

While they need to improve in all areas, these are early days following a summer of turmoil.

Manager Colin Todd said: “If the players didn’t know what this division is about, they do now.

“We gave away bad goals, but there were positives when we started playing in Aldershot’s half.

“We got better as the game went on and Dowson took his goal well, but we need to play with much more grit and determination.”